Crew change on Telefonica Black

Pablo Iglesias takes over from injured Maciel Cichetti

Spaniard Pablo Iglesias is set to join Telefónica Black for the third leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, due to depart on Saturday 13 December, from India to Singapore.

The 39 year-old from Vigo in the Northern Spanish region of Galicia, announced that he was “very happy, because you hope you can get on board for every leg, and now the time has come for me”. Iglesias will take over from Maciel 'Cicho' Cichetti, trimmer/helm on Telefónica Black, who suffered a back injury which team doctor Cristina Pérez has declared will only heal fully with rest and minimum strain for the Argentinean.

“‘Cicho’ had the feeling after the injury that it was likely he’d be off the boat for this stage, and he told me as much, even before the final decision was taken”, commented Iglesias today. “We spoke about my role on the boat, although in any case I sailed with the guys on the team for four months, so I know the job well and I’m prepared for it”.

It is certainly true that Pablo Iglesias has been working with the Telefónica team since he prepared for the competition in Alicante, as the boat’s Skipper Fernando Echávarri points out: “He’s been on the team since the start, training with us since the summer in Alicante”. The Spaniard is fully integrated into the team and also sailed the 2,000 mile qualifier with them in July. He also sailed on board for the famous King’s Cup in Spain and also sailed the coastal race in Alicante where Telefónica Black finished second.

As well as journeying to all of the stop-off ports in this Volvo Ocean Race, the Spaniard has also been following the in-port regime alongside his Telefónica Black teammates.

India has been no exception, as Iglesias points out: “I got here one day ahead of the guys, so I was fully integrated into the group from the start; I helped to dismantle the boat and I have been doing the same preparation as them, getting into the dynamic of the team right from the start”.

Fernando Echávarri was eager to point out that “Pablo is an excellent helmsman and I have no doubt that it will be a matter of a few days before he gets into the rhythm of the leg. He’s going to bring a lot to the team”.

Curiously, Pablo Iglesias’ arrival means that there are five Spaniards from the same region in Spain onboard Telefónica Black: Jaime Arbones, Gonzalo Araujo, Pablo Iglesias himself, Fernando Echávarri and Mikel Pasabant are all from Galicia, a region with a strong maritime heritage.

Telefónica Black was back on the water this lunchtime, which means that the team will be ready to train tomorrow in the Indian waters of Cochin. The final checks will be carried out on the boat, and the third leg sets off this Saturday bound for Singapore.