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Volvo Ocean Race

Volvo Ocean Race

Date: 2014-11-28

MAPFRE, the Spanish boat, which finished last of the fleet in Leg 1, has bounced back in style to challenge for the lead in the next stage between Cape Town and Abu Dhabi.

Skipper Iker Mart’nez acted decisively after MAPFRE's disappointing result on November 7 and introduced experienced watch leader, Rob Greenhalgh (GBR), and new navigator, Jean-Luc Nélias, to the eight-man crew.

It was a tough call as Mart’nez was forced to drop the twice-Vendée Globe winner Michel Desjoyeaux as a result, but so far, the changes have worked like a charm. By just before 1000 GMT on Tuesday, MAPFRE were just under two nautical miles off the pace set by Leg 1 winners Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, but in a better position to sail directly to the finish than Ian Walker's crew.

"We want to get rid of the bad taste in the mouth from Leg 1," said Mart’nez "We're determined to finish on the podium in Abu Dhabi."