Two more crew for Amer Sport Too

At the moment the girls are working and training hard down in Marseilles alongside Grant Dalton in the Amer Sport One boys' boat. And now with almost a full team they are preparing to sail offshore later this week.

"When I phoned the people I wanted to join the crew, I got very excited reactions from them all. It was short notice and everyone is coming aboard in race mode. They know the next few weeks will be tough. We will get tired physically and mentally but I know we will be prepared for the start line in September," Lisa says.

Many of the girls sailed together with Lisa onboard EF Education in the 1997/98 Whitbread Round the World Race. "That's way ahead of last time when only one crew member had previous experience of round the world racing," Lisa says. "I am very happy that most people on my initial list put aside what they were doing and cancelled plans for projects that would clash with the Volvo Ocean Race. They are coming in as a united and talented group and they're all bringing something to the party in the way of experience."

The two most recent recruits are British girls Abigail Seager and Eleanor Hay.

Here are Lisa's comments on her crew and what each one will be bringing to her crew:

Abigail Seager (UK)
"I'm pleased to have Abby on board - she's new to this event, but she is an experienced dinghy and offshore racer. Although I have not sailed with her previously, she comes to Nautor Challenge very highly recommended. She has experience in running boats and will look after the mechanical side for us. She has competed in the Fastnet, Sydney to Hobart, Admiral's Cup amongst others. Abby also has been involved in the administration of sailing campaigns, most recently with the British America's Cup Challenger Team."

Eleanor Hay (UK)
"Eleanor has a lot of sailing experience, racing in many countries and has more than 30,000 nautical miles of yacht deliveries behind her, including two transatlantic and one transpacific voyage. Eleanor is another newcomer to round the world racing, and she is more than ready to take it on. Her offshore racing experience includes Maxi One Design, Ericksson 80, Adecco Maxi Worlds and the full European circuit which includes the Round Gotland race and the Fastnet. She has also been match racing with Cordelia Eglin (ranked sixth in the world) 1999 and Liz Walker. Eleanor has participated in various national and international regattas."

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