Volvo Ocean Race extended - No, it's not 1 April !!

by Sail-World and Ken Read on 27 Jun 2009
After sailing 37,000nm around the planet, organisers have extended the length of Volvo Ocean Race to meet a deadline for the raising of two bridges at the entrance to St Petersburg.

From the Volvo Media Office:

The seven boats racing, plus Team Russia, who is accompanying the fleet, are beating under a blazing sun towards the finish line of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 in St Petersburg tomorrow. Progress has been faster than predicted and the race director has just extended the course by 45 nautical miles, which has been an unpopular decision among some of the crews who are anxious to finish. The fleet is currently off the coast of Estonia, in the Gulf of Finland.

Very little if any, sleep has been had by the crews, who have been sitting on the rail for most of the night, racing this leg as if it were the Fastnet Race, but now, as the pace settles and tiredness is creeping in, the bunks are filled to capacity.

Ian Walker’s heart missed a beat when Green Dragon passed over a rocky ledge between two islands this morning. 'I had my heart in my mouth as the depth dropped to 1.9 metres below the keel. I prayed that the chart was accurate and breathed a sign of relieve as the depth shot back up. That’s enough of those scares for one day,' he said.

There is an air of finality now as less than 120 miles remain for PUMA who leads the field by 2 miles, before the adventure is over and the final celebrations can begin.

The fleet is expected to arrive at the finish early tomorrow morning before parading into St Petersburg later in the afternoon.

Leg leader, Puma Racing's Ken Read is incredulous. read his latest email:

Quote from on Board: PUMA LEG TEN DAY 2 QFB; received 26.06.09 1926 GMT

I now know that I have heard it all. This race has been extended! The race organizers didn't think the previous 37,000 miles were long enough so this leg has been extended. Oh my God.

What makes it a bit of a bummer is the fact that we are leading, the wind is getting lighter, and the two light air rocket ships (Telefónica black and blue) are right behind us. Oh well. Never easy.

We have sailed a solid leg to date. Need to keep it up. Will report after the finish. A 30-mile triangle to do now and it is full on.

Just came down for a snack and a layer of clothes and to catch a breath.

Tacking, got to go.

Kenny Read - skipper