Nine months of competition, 45,000 nm, extreme conditions and a small group of people living on board a VO65. The Volvo Ocean Race tests much more than the requirement to be the first to cross the finish line. Injury and illness prevention as well as subsequent medical treatments, comprehensive physical and psychological preparation and thoroughly researched nutrition program on board and ashore are just a few of the many facets which contribute before and during the round the world race. Íñigo Losada is responsible for the health program of MAPFRE. Here he explains how his department works and what are the key requirements of one of the most extreme sailing races.
What is the main role of the MAPFRE health program?
In terms of physical preparation, beyond the performance that can be given by the crew, one of the key points is the prevention of injuries and, if they do occur we treat them and seek to ensure the sailor is fully rehabilitated and recovered before returning on board in the best possible physical shape.
Another area that we are responsible for is food and nutrition of the crew, primarily concerning the freeze-dried food while on board. We have to make an analysis of the requirements of each leg especially depending on the duration and the weather conditions of each leg and, from there, we prepare the appropriate menus and the provisions.
What professionals are part of this department?
We form a multidisciplinary team composed of a doctor, several physiotherapists and a physical trainer to perform all the tasks of the health program. In many situations during the race we also bring in different local professionals depending where in the world we are.
Íñigo Losada © María Muiña/MAPFRE
What are the most common injuries in a race around the world?
The main injuries that we find are produced by knocks or strains, over exertions because the equipment and the sails the crew move are very heavy and also wet. We also find injuries caused by impacts with things, with the boat itself or with crewmates. Some injuries are preventable and others are accidents that can happen and we have to just deal with them.
How does the health program act when an injury occurs or someone becomes ill during a leg?
When we are training our job is different in that we have direct physical contact with the crew which we don’t when they are on a leg, racing. When they are racing there is a dedicated medic on board. There will be two crew members who have done a specific training course to have the necessary knowledge in the key, likely medical areas. They will be the ones who will contact the team doctor and make any diagnosis and then they are given an appropriate program to treat the patient via phone or email.
What is the basis and purpose of this specific training?
The injuries on board are very different: broken teeth, dental fillings, cuts, stitches, dislocations… The medical training is based on the experience from previous editions. The medics on board are trained to have the knowledge needed in case of an injury having guidelines to follow in order to look after the sailor.
Bowman & Boat Captain Ñeti Cuervas-Mons and trimmer/bowman Willy Altadill © María Muiña/MAPFRE
In addition to the physical aspects, how does the health program work to prepare the crew psychologically?
Although there are all kind of people in the sailing world, all have one aspect in common: the capacity to endure a level of suffering (because the conditions are not easy to bear) and the ability to prosper in adverse situations. They manage many extreme situations in which can normalise and deal with and here there is a psychological aspect to be optimised.
Also there is a confined small space for communal living for prolonged periods for a team of people from different nationalities, age and sex, so this is another aspect that can be optimised by work with a psychological component. There is of course the professionalism of each sailor and the fact they share a common goal (to win the race) but all now that success comes down to working best as a strong, functioning team which can endure the hardships together and continue to work smoothly and efficiently.
The Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 will have more sailing in the Southern Ocean, how does the new course affect to the physical preparation of the crew?
The new route makes us bear in mind that there are legs that are going to be longer than in previous editions, which is a challenge. Besides, regarding the weather, they will be much colder and that conditions will be tougher for longer, hence the need to prepare better in advance.
In this new edition there is a new rule that encourages women as crew how do you value this change?
The truth is that the rule is not an obligation, so I see it as a new possibility for the teams. I believe that perhaps those who will know how to manage it better and take better advantage of that opportunity will be the ones who can best reap that benefit. The rule is also very open in terms of the number of women on board, so I think every team will look for its ideal formula. Personally, I like this rule and women have already shown us they can race competitively around the world.
