As Ericsson's new navigator Mark Rudiger (USA) explains, it will be both a tactical and strategical leg. The Chesapeake is well known for its tricky conditions; for the shifty wind and current, the crab pots and the fishing boats which the fleet will have to negotiate. "The forecast for the start is light wind which makes it harder to know which side of the Chesapeake to go down," says Rudiger. "If you pick the best side you're a winner, and the exiting order from Chesapeake Bay could well be the same as the finishing order in New York."

Just after the start, the fleet will have to round a mark before sailing down the Chesapeake. This will be a stressful moment for the crews, as they will have to choose between sailing on the protected channel with potentially bad conditions, or going through the huge spectator fleet with possibly more wind. The boats will then converge at the narrow exit of the Chesapeake Bay, before turning a hard left for New York. As the fleet sails up the east coast of America, opportunities to pass will be limited.

"Sailing well in the Bay will be essential," confirms skipper Neal McDonald (GBR), "as we will meet a new weather system once we get out of the Chesapeake. Then it will be mainly a drag race on starboard tack, where speed will play an important role."

The route from Annapolis to New York will be a novelty for the vast majority of the 70 sailors in the Volvo Ocean Race. The fleet is expected to arrive in New York late Monday night, after approximately 30 hours of intense racing with very little sleep.

Ericsson is joined on legs six and seven by four new crewmembers, two highly regarded American sailors, Mark Rudiger and Ken Read, together with Antipodeans, Ian "Barney" Walker (AUS) and Richard Bouzaid (NZL).

"I am very excited about the energy level on the boat," says Rudiger, whose role as navigator under Neal McDonald's leadership extends back to the Assa Abloy campaign four years ago. "The team that has sailed onboard Ericsson since the start has done a great job to get the boat where it is now. The quality of the sailors that have joined the team in Baltimore is great and they will bring a lot of fresh ideas to the team."

"Forty percent of our team is new," says McDonald. "They are all highly experienced, talented and enthusiastic yachtsmen and their professionalism will be an asset." As for the team's objective, McDonald remains prudent yet ambitious: "We have to take each leg as it comes and do the best we can. We have the potential to win every leg and this is obviously our goal."

- End -

Quotes:

Chris Tibbs, Ericsson Racing Team meteorologist: "The wind is going to be pretty light at the time of the start, getting stronger by Monday morning. It will blow from the north-east turning east or south-east. As the fleet approaches New York, the boats will be tight reaching in moderate winds. The yachts are expected to arrive on Monday night. The weather will get much colder as there is a cold front coming in from the south."

Neal McDonald (GBR): "Very few of us have sailed in New York. Usually, we sail from Ambrose Light which is the starting point for the record route, but we don't go that far into the Bay so it will be interesting.

"Mark and Ken will work together at the nav station, but I will also remain involved. Ken will play an important role in short term tactical decisions, whilst Mark will analyse the meteorology and have a longer term perspective. I will be involved in any strategic decisions."

Magnus Woxén (SWE): "It's going to be a light and tricky start then some fairly hard reaching when we get out of the Bay. This will make it quite rough and it's unlikely we will get much sleep. There will be a lot of maneuvers when we are in the Bay and very few once we turn left for New York.

"We are joined by four new crewmembers on this leg. They are all good, experienced sailors, bringing plenty of knowledge to the team. We have re-cut a few sails during the stopover and we also have a new asymmetric spinnaker and staysail, so we are feeling fairly well prepared."

Crew list for legs six:

Neal McDonald, skipper and watch captain Mark Rudiger (USA), navigator Tim Powell (GBR), watch captain Damian Foxall (IRL) David Rolfe (NZL) Ian Walker (AUS) Ken Read (USA) Magnus Woxén (SWE) Richard Bouzaid (NZL) Richard Mason (NZL)

Notes to Editors Ericsson Racing Team, headed by Ericsson, the world's leading telecommunications supplier is supported by Sony, Sony Ericsson and by Semcon as design and development partner. For updates and pictures on the Ericsson Racing Team's participation in the Volvo Ocean Race, please visit www.ericssonracingteam.com. You can register as media to download high resolution images for editorial use. High resolution video footage is available on request.

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