Hola Telefonica Spectacular

The hull emerged from its Antonov cocoon to be carefully lifted on to a truck for the nine km journey to the Telefonica base at the harbour in Alicante, host for the 2008-09 race on 4 October.

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The shore crew now plan to have the first of the two Spanish entries in the water by next week after finishing the rig and completing the commissioning.

The arrival in Spain of Telefonica Black marks the culmination of approximately 40,000 man hours of work by a team of 60 people – the boat builders, the Telefónica technical and design teams.

Sports and Technical Director Bouwe Bekking has pointed to changes in the two new Spanish boats which he hopes will give them that extra edge. “Telefónica Black and Telefónica Blue will be more powerful, fully optimized for the conditions we will face, plus amazingly detailed. And of course they are way stronger.”

Pedro Campos, the Telefónica team’s CEO, added: “There have been many tests on materials and techniques in order to assure the ultimate realibility of the boats once they are racing.

“Weight is a key factor since the Volvo Open 70 Rule is very tight on weight, meaning that every gramme we can get off the structures and fittings of the boat the better! However this is not at the cost of structure, etc.”

The boat’s designer, Farr Yacht Design, led by Bruce Farr and Russell Bowler, have worked on the new boats in an exclusive deal with the Spanish entry. “Their talent and motivation are indisputable and they showed us that are totally committed to our team,” says Bouwe Bekking.

Telefonica's Golden Duo
The Spanish have enlisted two shipyards to build the new boats. Telefónica Black has arrived from Southern Ocean Marine, based in Tauranga, New Zealand, while Telefónica Blue has been built at King Marine in Alginet, Valencia.

Telefónica Blue is expected to arrive in Alicante in a couple of weeks, after which time Telefónica will have about two months of sailing before the start of the race. The race fleet will take nine months to sail round the world, covering 37,000 nautical miles and including Asia on its route for the first time. The finish will be in St Petersburg in late June 2009.


The Spanish Olympic gold medallists Xabi Fernández and Jordi Calafat have been confirmed in key roles with the Telefónica team.

Calafat, born in Palma de Mallorca and Xabi Fernández, from the Basque country, have joined Bouwe Bekking, Fernando Echávarri and Iker Martínez in the Spanish ranks.

Fernández and Martinez are the current Olympic 49er champions while Calafat won gold in the 470s in Barcelona in 1992.

Fernández and Martinez will defend their 49er title at the 2008 Olympic Games in August before turning their attentions to the Volvo. They will be joined in Beijing by Echavarri who will compete in the Tornado class.

Calalfat and Fernández will take the positions of helmsman/trimmer with added responsibilities on board. Bekking explained: "Xabi will be in charge of the hydraulics and winches. Jordi will also work with sails and developments. Both of them are Olympic gold medallists with a winning mentality and they know what is required to win a Volvo Ocean Race.”

Fernández, also a twice 49er world champion, made his debut in the Volvo aboard movistar in 2005-06 "I found that each day was completely different from the other,” he said. “This time I know about the offshore sailing and how to face all sorts of conditions and I am really excited with this new challenge.”

Calafat will be making his debut in the race. Prior to joining the Telefonica team he was part of the winning Alinghi America’s Cup squad. He also has an Optimist and two 470 world titles on his CV.