Skiff god goes Volvo

Triple 49er world champion and Nautor Challenge recruit Chris Nicholson spoke to Andy Rice

After a controversial selection trials for the Sydney Olympics, Chris Nicholson was given the nod as Australia's 49er representative. He had, after all, won three consecutive world titles. But come crunch time last September, he could only manage sixth place at the Games - it was one of the shocks of the regatta.

A few months after the disappointment of the Olympics, Nicholson was back in a 49er, but this time with Michael Blackburn, who won bronze in the Laser behind Ben Ainslie and Robert Scheidt. "We did a couple of regattas but I thought, what am I doing back here again?" says Nicholson. "I needed a break from the class. I've never done four years non-stop in any boat before, and I realised I had to take a year off."

The Volvo Ocean Race seemed like an obvious career move. "I made the call last November, and put my name forward to see what would happen." Dalton clearly saw a driven individual, and Nicholson was selected for the team after only a short trial.

The skiff sailor admits he is now on a huge learning curve, but believes the same fundamental skills come into play. "The motivations are still the same. It still comes down to being dedicated to do whatever is necessary to win a boat race.

"But I've also got some big areas to work on, sailing as part of a 12-man team, where I've only sailed with one or two others at the most. I'm trying to blend with the team and getting used to the whole idea."

Nicholson is also new to long-distance racing. "With the 49er you need to sail at your best for four to five hours each day and then you can relax. Here I've got to learn how to sail at my best for weeks on end."

Currently Nicholson is on mainsheet duty, although his legendary boathandling skills will doubtless come into use in the monster waves of the Southern Ocean when seat-of-the-pants helming ability really comes into its own.