Rodney Ardern has already planned what he'll do during Alinghi's Christmas break.
Forget a bit of skiing in Europe or a summer holiday in his home country New Zealand, Ardern is lining up to tackle the first three legs of the round-the-world ocean race on America entry Pirates of the Caribbean, skippered by Paul Cayard.
It is not even like the first three legs are pleasant ones. Starting in Spain, Arden's journey will take him down through the deep, dark, cold Southern Ocean and up to Rio de Janeiro.
A journey expected to be a lot quicker on the new amped up 70ft yachts.
"They sound extremely over-powered and under-manned so it is going to be hard work," said Ardern, who has competed in three round-the-world races.
The Pirates of the Caribbean campaign is a joint venture by Volvo and Walt Disney to promote the sequel to the movie of the same name.
One of the last of the seven teams to enter, it is not as advanced as race favourites Spain's Movistar or ABN Amro, headed by New Zealander Mike Sanderson, who have been sailing for some months.
The Pirates' Bruce Farr-designed yacht "Black Pearl" has yet to be launched and the crew has only just been announced. "It is last minute but we have managed to get quite a good crew together," Ardern said.
Now in his second campaign with Alinghi, Ardern and his Swedish wife Sofia and four-month-old son Nils, alternate between Stockholm and Valencia.
Yachting: Ardern heads to sea for his America's Cup break
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