Mystery Men

Ed Gorman reviews the form of News Corp the Volvo boat that nobody rated

A well placed observer on News Corp is Leah Fanstone, the syndicate shore manager and a veteran of the EF Education crew in the last race. She is impressed with the way the team is going. "They've done really well and sailed really conservatively," she said. "Even when they did a couple of tactical out-on-a-limbs they managed to always come back strongly and sailed really sensibly" she said. "I believe they are very happy with the boat which is good because it gives them confidence for the next leg."

She said there is some work to do on the sail inventory and she commented on the relationship between Field and her husband. "It's a team management," she said. "It was a big step for Jez to take on the role of skipper so he leans on Ross a bit for advice and uses his experience. But I think they just complement each other - an old boy's knowledge coupled with the younger man's energy and it seems to work."