Volvo Ocean Race - Tight racing during Port Miami InPort Race

by Lucy Harwood on 20 May 2012 In the Volvo Ocean Race, there was tight and tense racing during today’s Port Miami InPort Race held this afternoon. Following a frustrating first beat Camper trailed the fleet, but the fluky conditions and strong currents in Miami Bay played havoc on the water with the lead changing four times during the race.

The 8.2 mile nine mark course tested crew work to the maximum and skipper Chris Nicholson was matter of fact about the team’s performance.

'We had a couple of made big mistakes pre-start one being a bad sail choice on the first beat, which meant that it was a very expensive for us,' he commented dockside.

'We know today we gave away points, so we are more fortunate that some boats finished where we needed them. It’s the nature of the beast with this race that everyone is making mistakes at different times. Don’t worry it’s firmly burnt into my mind the mistakes we have made, we’ll remember. But we will move on tomorrow to get geared up for this offshore, with a firm view of not making these kinds of mistakes again in the InPort.

However the final positions, with Abu Dhabi scoring their third InPort victory, has meant a further compression of the top four places on the overall table. Camper is now just thirteen points behind race leaders, Telefonica on 152 points.

Also onboard Camper was Real Housewives Miami star Adriana de Moura. She was one of three guests that had the privilege of riding pillion onboard the Spanish/New Zealand entry for the InPort Race.

'Incredible, I mean one of the most exciting experiences I have ever had. I’ve never been on a racing boat before, it was truly such an adrenaline rush. The sheer force of these guys to make this huge boats move. I don’t have words. I am so happy if someone asked me what one of the most exciting experiences I have ever had this would be number one,' commented Adriana, once her feet were firmly back on the ground.

Volvo Ocean Race website