You’ve probably heard the terms Leg Zero and Prologue bandied around a few times – but what do they actually mean?
Well, it’s pretty simple – Leg Zero and the Prologue are a series of races which make up an exciting period of pre-race activity for the 2017-18 fleet.
They have replaced the previous 2,000-mile mandatory qualification voyage and although the mileage is similar, they’re much more advantageous for the teams in terms of crew training boat-on-boat action and commercial activity.
In previous editions, teams were prevented from two-boat tuning in the lead up to the race. This time, we’ve changed that – and Leg Zero and the Prologue will be full-fleet races. They’re important to the sailors as they’re the final chances to get a view on the opposition and try out some different things
Phil Lawrence, Race Director
“The sailors will have one eye on what their rivals are doing in terms of crew set-up and sail configuration, and will be keen to use the opportunity to get some close racing action before the race goes live in October.”
So, what’s the plan? Well, Leg Zero actually consists of a series of races, beginning at Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight, and ending at the Volvo Boatyard in Lisbon, Portugal.
Overview – Leg Zero and Prologue key dates
Wednesday 2 August: Cowes Week Round Isle of Wight Race
Sunday 6 August: Rolex Fastnet Race starts
Wednesday 9 August: Rolex Fastnet Race ETA
Thursday 10 August: Fleet departs Plymouth
Friday 11 August: Fleet arrives in St Malo
Sunday 13 August: Fleet departs St Malo
Wednesday 16 August: Fleet ETA in Lisbon
Monday 18 September: Assembly Period begins in Lisbon
Saturday 30 September: Assembly Period ends in Lisbon
Sunday 8 October: Prologue Race Lisbon–Alicante begins
Thursday 12 October: Prologue Race ETA Alicante
“The fleet will compete in the Round Isle of Wight Race, as part of the Triple Crown at Cowes Week, on Wednesday 2 August, before setting off for the Rolex Fastnet Race which is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and starts on Sunday 6 August,” Phil adds.
“That will take around three days to complete, and then the boats will be back in Plymouth by Wednesday 9 August, where they will stay overnight, before beginning a race to Lisbon, Portugal on Thursday 10 August.”
But the fleet won’t be heading straight to the Boatyard in Lisbon. In a bonus for French fans, the boats will be calling at one of France’s most famous sailing hotspots.
“We’re going to visit St Malo for a short pit-stop,” continues Phil. “The boats will arrive there on Friday lunchtime and there’ll be a short, coastal Pro-Am on the Saturday, before the sailors leave on Sunday 13 August to continue the race to Lisbon.”
The next compulsory date is the beginning of the Assembly Period in Lisbon on Monday 18 September. “The Assembly Period lasts lasts for around two weeks, and is valuable time for the Boatyard as they will be able to crane all of the boats out of the water and complete final pre-race measurement and safety checks,” Phil adds.
“Meanwhile, the crews will complete a mandatory sea survival course and medical workshop. There will be several other different workshops and courses for the sailors to undertake delivered by Boatyard suppliers and related to different areas of the boat.
“On Sunday 8 October, the Prologue Race, which is a non-scoring sprint from Lisbon to Alicante, will begin. It should take the teams around three or four days to arrive, so the current ETA is Thursday 12 October.
The fleet will battle out the Alicante In-Port Race on Saturday 14 October, before the race itself begins on Sunday 22 October.
