From Olympics to Volvo...

John Greenland talks to two men well versed in the art of winning in small boats, but still finding their feet in the world of ocean racing

So what do these two top sailors have over the hundreds of international yachtsmen around the world that compete at top level on similarly sized keelboats all year round? Well, the gongs they have picked up from the Olympic Games go a long way. "I think that you can transfer quite a lot of skills, it just takes a bit of getting used to, I quite enjoy doing second bow when we’re pulling sails down and everything like that," says Loof.

For Loof the Sydney-Hobart-Auckland leg was the longest offshore race he had sailed. "I was a little sea sick, but once I was over that I was right into it. I did quite a bit of helming which is something I really enjoy." In fact, the only major offshore experience Loof had prior to leg three of the race was a Sydney to Auckland delivery - the comfortable way (direct). "It's not too hard once you get a bit of time with the boat, it’s possible to get the feel of it and really make it go well."

Nicholson also dived straight into the driving seat. This is something to make any keen sailor envious, the ability to compete at the top level in both offshore yacht racing and the Olympics. It seems having a 'gong' is your ticket anywhere in sailing. "I’ve been doing some driving and trimming. There are six drivers on board, and everyone does about one and a half hours of driving at a time, but that varies depending on the conditions," explains Nicholson.

The initial jump into the Volvo Ocean Race proved to be a little bit of a culture shock to the Aussie. "To start with I didn’t think I would make it to the end, but I'm definitely more comfortable now. It’s just incredible the amount of wear and tear the body takes during the race," he says. "You go from the Olympics as always looking after body to looking forward to abusing body on a daily basis - it's downhill the whole race."

Nicholson, like Loof, didn't take long to get used to the offshore ways. However, he did admit to taking a while to get used to sailing by numbers. "I still don’t feel like I’m on top of the game, but certainly competitive. Sailing by numbers is one of the toughest things to get a hang of."

Both sailors appear to be enjoying the race so far. Though they agree it is tough on mind and body, the change from their usual form of sailing is certainly welcome. What will be annoying to most is the fact that they will probably come out of this race with a pocket full of money and slot back in at the top of the dinghy fleet having spent many months at sea pushing their bodies and minds to the limit.