Navigator races to make the start line

THE Wild Oats XI team is sweating on the speedy arrival of the Volvo round-the-world fleet into Melbourne so its navigator has time to make a quick dash north to be aboard the supermaxi for the start of the Sydney to Hobart.

Wild Oats XI is trying to break a two-year run of bad luck by not just finishing the race, but claiming a record ninth line honours victory.

And integral to this is the arrival of Spanish navigator Juan Vila in time to guide the 100-footer south.

Last month Vila helpedelped navigate Mapfre to victoryory in the dramatic second leg of the Volvo round-the-world race from Lisbon to Cape Town which gave the Spanish yacht, the lead before the leg from Cape Town to Melbourne.e.

“There is a chance he may miss the leg but wee hope not,’’ skipper Markk Richards said.

“They [the Volvo fleet] are rumbling along, so hopefully they can make it.

“Juan is important to this campaign.’’

The Volvo fleet leaders still had close to 2000 nautical miles to sail yesterday, about the distance of three Sydney to Hobart yacht races.

The fleet needs to stay in front of a high-pressure system to finish by Christmas, and Vila’s yacht Mapfre is in the best position.

He will need time to rest and recuperate before jumping aboard Wild Oats XI for the race south on Boxing Day.

With a fast and close line honours race expected, navigational and tactical decisions will play an increasingly important role in the 73rd Sydney to Hobart.

Wild Oats XI and Black Jack, the 2009 line honours winner, are similar in strengths and weaknesses, although both have their sweet spots when it comes to the conditions.