How Come Now?

We woke up today to learn of the tragedy in a West Virginia coal mine and on Leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race. Reports are coming out now from WV that the coal mine has a lengthy history of violations, though they have yet to reveal if they contributed to the accident. I wonder when/if we will learn of similar findings from the VOR boats.

While some teams were late to launch, some have had plenty of time to learn of problems. Each team has a minimum of a 2000 mile non-stop trip under her prior to the start of Leg One, and most have much more. Brasil 1 and Ericsson have been trialing their boats since August 2005... but little was heard of any problems.

Did the problems first only surface on Leg One? Seems naiive to think so.

Also, as a sidenote, the VOR website has been taking a lashing for its ineptness. Case in point today, where it is littered with reports of Brasil 1 and Ericsson returning to port, their ranking methodology has had Brasil 1 in second place all day. - Craig Leweck