Two races on the way, motivation and one goal: The Ocean Race 2022-23

Everything seems very spacious on deck as soon as you step aboard the large VO65, but the truth is that when your life consists of taking shifts with 4 other crew members in just a few square metres, the perspective is a little different. But no less interesting because of it.

Based at Marina Coruña, we have visited the Viva Mexico and spent time with two members of their team, Juan Varela and Juan Luis Medina, so they could share their perspective and tell us about their experience aboard the VO65.

Both young sailors, who are currently working on the preparation of the VO65 for The Ocean Race Europe, will face the best Spanish sailors next weekend at the Maeloc Spanish J70 Championship.

Crossing the Atlantic by sail for the first time

From the port of Acapulco, Mexico, Viva Mexico VO65 has covered 6,500 miles to reach A Coruña, where it is completing the final preparations before departing for The Ocean Race Europe.

It was an intense 32-day crossing, with great figures such as Roberto Bermúdez de Castro (Chuny), director of Marina Coruña, the Mexican captain Erik Brockmann, Jaime Arbones and Diego Torrado González. In addition, the Italian Eugenia Bosco, together with Juan Varela Barba and Juan Luis Medina, the youngest members of the team who have crossed the Atlantic for the first time in their lives.

“It was my first time crossing the Atlantic. And I remember that before leaving I was overwhelmed. I knew we were going to leave Bermuda and when I zoomed in on the map, seeing that tiny island in the Atlantic Ocean, the distance we were going to cover was frightening.” – Juan Luis Medina.

“The start was not that pleasant, there were intense days of rain and cold and I had thoughts like ‘what am I doing here’, but I knew I was already on board. Once you start, your mind completely changes gear. You know intense days are coming and you immerse yourself in sailing. You don’t think about the days, but about completing each watch.” – J.L Medina.

For Juan Varela, despite having already been in Europe, it was also his first time crossing by sail.

“I would say the hardest part was heading north when the cold arrived and we encountered a storm. We are used to sailing in the Pacific, with 30 degrees and sunshine all the time, so spending 9 days wet and cold was a radical contrast, but an incredible experience to add.” – Juan Varela.

And without a doubt, the emotion of their arrival in Europe through A Coruña waters will be a moment that will remain engraved in their memories for the rest of their lives.

An experience that will mark a before and after in the lives of these young Mexican sailors. A crossing that prepares them for Ocean Race Europe, where they have faced all kinds of challenges, from food, sleeping hours, storms…

After four hours on watch, what they have on board to eat is dehydrated food in sachets that they heat using the ocean water itself. It is a system that desalinates seawater, and this is where the water they use for hydration and cooking comes from.

“At first it was a little difficult for me to get used to this type of food. The dehydrated food we carry in sachets is very heavy. They are 1000 kcal per pack. And after the watch, you eat and go to sleep, so it often feels heavy. Also, when you are preparing the food you are often looking down, the boat keeps moving… and it is not the first time I have felt seasick.” – Juan Luis Medina.

“We are ready for the Maeloc Spanish J70 Championship”

Competing in the Ocean Race would be a source of pride not only for the youngest sailors, but also for the Mexican sailing world. After the victory of Sayula II in the 1974 round-the-world race, skippered by Ramón Carlin, no Mexican team had entered a competition of this kind.

“They were true warriors. They did not have all the tools and equipment that exist today. Returning is a great motivation for us and for all of Mexico.” – Juan Varela.

But now they still have a major challenge before leaving for The Ocean Race Europe, as the team will compete aboard the J70 Bosch Service Solutions in the Maeloc Spanish J70 Championship, which will take place on 14, 15 and 16 May at our Marina Coruña facilities.

“We are really looking forward to it and we are very happy to be able to compete with the best Spanish sailors in this great sailing event. We are ready for the Maeloc Spanish Championship!” – Juan Varela.

Stay tuned!

Very soon, more information and the full programme of the Maeloc Spanish J70 Championship on our website!