SAILING: Mooloolaba's Stacey Jackson received the best possible birthday present yesterday when the 32-year-old was confirmed as back on the bow of Team SCA for the legs of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Jackson was rotated off the all-female boat for the last leg, from Newport USA to Lisbon in Portugal.

She anxiously sat out that leg worrying it might mean the end of the Volvo Ocean Race for her.

With three legs ahead, each one of about 600 miles, Jackson is keen to show her experience in racing these short, hard distances.

She has competed in nine Sydney to Hobart races, that racing being about 630 miles.

Although several of the Team SCA crew have competed in similar length races, none of them has done as many as Jackson.

So she has been able to contribute to the team's planning.

Jackson is eager to offer more significant input on how they should approach the final race legs, including the watch system and what to expect about getting any form of rest when the race is likely to last only two and half days.

"With these shorter legs there is no reason why we can't win one of them or get a podium place," Jackson said.