Today saw the culmination of years of work as the six Volvo 70’s took to the waters off Alicante for the first In Port race. It was the first chance to get vital points on the board ahead of the start of the first offshore leg next week.
At 1400 local time the fleet crossed the line to kick off the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race. A good start by CAMPER, Abu Dhabi and Groupama saw them extend over the rest of the fleet towards the first top mark. CAMPER and Abu Dhabi were soon in a stronger position as they held onto the pressure to put some distance between themselves and the chasing boats. They remained boat to boat on the first beat, as PUMA were forced to dip behind Abu Dhabi and CAMPER. A procession soon occurred as the fleet sailed downwind to the mark. CAMPER worked hard to close the gap on Abu Dhabi, but it was the crucial choice of sails at this first bottom mark that saw Abu Dhabi claim victory today.
Conditions remained incredibly light and shifty as the remaining five boats battled it out, creeping their way around the course. With the breeze dropping race management called for the course to be shortened and the fleet rounded the final mark for the last downwind leg. It was a tussle to the finish between CAMPER and Telefonica as they raced boat for boat to the line. CAMPER crossed the line to take a podium place and a valuable four points.
Shortly after finishing Groupama sailing team lodged a protest against CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand. The protest was related to the forestay set-up on CAMPER, which was the subject of an application made to the independent arbitration panel earlier this month.
The international jury was meeting to take submissions, a decision is yet to be made.
Provisional In Port race results
1 Abi Dhabi 53:48
2 Puma Ocean Racing powered by BERG propulsion +14:14
3 CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand +16.28
4 Team Sanya +17:00
5 Groupama Sailing Team +17:29
6 Team Telefonica +18:26
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