Xabi Fernández on board the Mapfre in Sanxenxo. Photo: María Muiña

After his participation in the America's Cup with the British team led by Sir Ben Ainslie, the Basque pattern is already fully integrated into the daily routine of the Spanish team that will compete in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018

Xabi Fernández, a brand new patron of the Spanish team in the sailing world that will start on October 22 in Alicante, is already working at the MAPHRE base in Galicia. Newly arrived from Bermuda, where for a year it has been part of the British Land Rover challenge, which ended its participation in the America's Cup last week. Xabi has been the only regatist in our country who has been part of the crew of a team in this 35th edition.

The Ibarra pattern has remet with his colleagues on their first day of work at the base of this project. "It's been an amazing experience this last American Cup with the AC50. They're still fighting the final but the races are impressive. For me, personally, being on the Land Rover team has been a very good experience. Now it is my turn to focus on the Volvo Ocean Race," said the Basque regatist in his early hours in Sanxenxo (Pontevedra).

"In all projects you learn a lot, especially from errors, and this team has not been different. In this America's Cup we have also made mistakes but I think we have managed to fix them and get the best out of what we had. You look at the leaders who work with you, and from a person like Ben Ainslie I have learned a lot and I hope you can serve me in the face of this Volvo Ocean Race with the MAPHRE," he added.

It may not be easy to pass from an AC50 catamaran to a VO65 mono-type, but so many years dedicated to the sailing sport in their different disciplines have their reward: "They are different ships and different sports. I'm lucky to go from side to side, from project to project, and I'm totally mentalized. I know the VO65. We have long decided to stop thinking that they would be better in another way, or faster, or like the previous ones, or like the following ones. It's the boat we have. The team see it very motivated and with great desire and that will make the transition easier."

"It's my fifth Volvo Ocean Race, the first as the only pattern. I think we've made a very strong team."