Who will win leg 2?

James Boyd looks at the form for the Volvo Ocean Race's first Southern Ocean leg

Few rated Jez Fanstone's team prior to the start. They seemed to lack cohesion, Fanstone's mild mannered approach seemed to lack leadership and when race veteran Ross Field stepped on board some months prior to the start, many suspected Fanstone's role in the top spot might be compromised.

There was also the issue of Nick White, a trained meteologist, but not a sailor/navigator of the type found on the other boats. Their approach also seemed old style Whitbread - there are plenty of smokers and drinkers on board - and few believed this team mentality would stand up against the highly focussed 'professional athlete' approach of say illbruck or djuice.

In fact the first leg proved that the afterguard on News Corp is gelling well. White sorts out the weather, Field makes the tactical calls and Fanstone runs the boat deckside. On leg one their third place shows they have pace and are not afraid to make bold tactical moves, which we suspect is Field's influence on the afterguard.

For the Southern Ocean they have great experience at the blunt end, including Field's long term cronies Jeff Scott and Steve Cotton who sailed Yamaha to victory with him eight years ago and with the new addition of Silk Cut and Winston veteran Gordon Maguire - yes, he of Jo Guest fame.

"We always planned to change one guy, and Joe Spooner has gone back to Team New Zealand to help them in the defence of the America's Cup and we are taking on Gordon McGuire who is a very experienced helmsman and I sailed with him on Silk Cut," said Fanstone. "This will be his fourth race around the world and I am looking forward to having him come on board to strengthen our driving down in the South where you need good, cool hands on the wheel."

Crew:
Steve Cotton, Damien Duke, Jez Fanstone, Ross Field, Jon Gunderson, Gordon Maguire, Alby Pratt, Jeff Scott, Justin Slattery, Craig Smith, Barney Walker, Nick White