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Tomorrow, Saturday, at 14:00 local time the first offshore leg of the Volvo Ocean race 2011-2012 kicks off: 6,500 miles of sea between Alicante, Spain and South Africa

Following 24 months of hard work, and 9 months more of tough graft ahead, the moment of truth has come. The crew on “Telefónica” are facing their final hours on shore ahead of the start of the first offshore leg in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. The eleven sailors on the Spanish team lead by double Olympic medallist Iker Martínez enjoyed their last proper hot meal and their final hot shower and sleep in a comfy bed until November 25^th, when they are due to arrive in Cape Town (South Africa). Tomorrow (Saturday) at 14:00 local time in Alicante waters, the fleet will listen out for the sound of the starting horn for the start of sailing's most extreme challenge: the round the world regatta.

For some it was a time for business or official dinners, for others a close family affair or a dinner for two with their partners. For others, such as Spaniard Antonio “Ñeti” Cuervas-Mons, Bowman on “Telefónica” a big dinner was in store, with over 30 people, among them family and friends who have all come to Alicante to show him their support as he sets off on his second round the world regatta.

From Alicante to Cape Town: three legs in one

Ahead of them lie 6,500 miles (12,038 km) joining the Port of Alicante to the South African city of Cape Town. This leg makes up 16% of the entire Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 course.

“Our aim for this leg is to sail well, to get onto the podium and to be close to the leader... if that's us, then even better, but if it isn't we at least want to be near. To date we know that things are likely to be a lot more competitive than in the other editions, so we'll see how things go”, said Iker Martínez in the Skippers Pre-Start press conference this afternoon.

This leg could even split into three given the different meteorological conditions that the fleet are likely to come up against, including “Telefónica”, of course. The first part would be the Mediterranean leg, in a sea which despite its apparent calm, is full of tricks and traps for a boat in competition. The wealth of windless pockets and continuous shifts can mean that getting out of the Med in front can be a guarantee as you head towards the Equator. Crossing the Gibraltar Strait is also tricky with the forecasts indicating that the fleet will come up against some 40 knots (74 km/h) of head on breeze. From thereon the Atlantic descent where the Doldrums become the rival to push up against before entering the South... and finally Cape Town. According to the calculations it could take some 20 days of racing, with the “Telefónica” crew competing 24 hours a day for seven days a week.

Alicante, Spain, 5^th November: 1400 hours

For another edition of the race, Alicante hosts the start of the first offshore leg of this round the world regatta. The appointment this time is on Saturday, 5^th November and from 11:50am onwards the teams will depart from the pontoons to set course for the starting line, where at 14:00 local time, the starting horn will sound for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012.