Volvo Ocean Race: Conrad's Dream Team: Caudrelier, Lunven and Clapcich

The first half of the eighth leg from Itajaí to Newport is almost complete and most of the boats have crossed the equator. The Volvo Ocean Race fleet is back in the northern hemisphere, but still has a good 3000 nautical miles to go to the American port of destination. At the top, Vestas 11th Hour Racing has taken the lead just ahead of Dongfeng, Team Brunel and Turn the Tide on Plastic. The four teams were separated by just four nautical miles on Monday afternoon.

It is now also clear why the Spanish team Mapfre, which was only in 6th place, seemed a little slow and lagged behind: Xabí Fernandez and his crew had to fight a total failure of the electronics, which is why the computer that regulates the keel pump was also not working - a real handicap in the gybing battle on the northern course. Mapfree's onboard technicians have since overcome the problem and can now move the keel below deck using a newly installed simple switch near the keel mechanism. No sooner had this been achieved than the red boat had made up many nautical miles on the leading boats within a few hours.

On land, meanwhile, commentator Conrad Colmann provided a stimulating topic of conversation. A circumnavigator himself, he was asked to put together his personal dream team for a four-man watch, including himself, with whom Colman would ideally like to be in action in the Volvo Ocean Race. Colman's choice: Dongfeng skipper Charles Caudrelier (44) because of his experience, all-round skills and intensity as a racer and former Figaro sailor. Nicolas Lunven from Dee Caffari's Turn the Tide on Plastic team as an experienced navigator and Figaro winner in 2009, and Francesca Clapcich - also from the Turn the Tide on Plastic team - for her ability to make boats fast. At over 1.80 metres tall, the two-time Olympian, Crossfit trainer and 49erFX World Champion is physically one of the most powerful athletes of all the sailors in the current 13th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. "Hardly anyone can match her strength," says Colman.

There is now a lively debate on social media about who the best sailors of the current edition are. All three participants named by Colman are currently sailing in the top group with their teams.

Here it goes to the tracker which remains live for the entire eighth stage.