Newport welcomes home team for Volvo Ocean Race

Team Alvimedica with American skipper Charlie Enright sailed into Newport Harbor (RI) on Monday (June 9) to complete a 10-day transatlantic crossing as part of their training for the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. The team’s ocean crossing was an important milestone for the team.

“It was a big step for Team Alvimedica,” Enright said. “We had good weather all the way across. We’re excited about what we achieved and what’s to come. We’re here doing some more training before we head back across the Atlantic in July.”

Enright, 29, and Mark Towill, 25, Kaneohe, HI, and the rest of the crew, replicated “race mode” on board throughout the transatlantic as they tested the crew and immersed themselves in ocean racing techniques and high-speed maneuvers throughout the fastpaced 3,000-mile leg to Newport.

Americans trying out for a spot on the crew are Rhode Islanders Nick Dana of Newport, Jesse Fielding of North Kingstown, and George Peet of Grosse Pointe, MI. Amory Ross of Newport was on board to document the journey in words and images.

“We had a great mentor with us, Stu Bannatyne, who helped us improve. But at the end of the day, to furl that sail at Fort Adams and come home to Newport is the greatest feeling,” Jesse Fielding said.

International crew on board for the transatlantic leg included: Berkcan Arat of Istanbul, Turkey; Alberto Bolzan of Trieste, Italy; Ryan Houston of Auckland, New Zealand; Will Oxley of South Townsville, Australia; and David Swete of Southampton, United Kingdom. Volvo Ocean Race veteran Stu Bannatyne of Auckland, New Zealand sailed as the crew’s mentor in part of an ongoing program to prepare the young crew to be race-ready in October.

The team will continue its crew selection process this month in Newport.

Report from Team Alvimedica. Photos by Daniel Forster/Team Alvimedica.

Background: The 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race starts October 4 and will take the fleet to 11 cities in 11 countries – Spain, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, China, New Zealand, Brazil, United States, Portugal, France, The Netherlands, and Sweden – and will require the teams to cover 38,739 nautical miles. It will be the first edition using the new one design Volvo Ocean 65 racing boats. Race website: http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/home.html