Team Basilica gains more ground in VX40 Grand Prix

by Chris Leigh on 2 May 2006 Team Basilica, the all British owned, sponsored and crewed boat lying second overall in the Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix series, enjoyed another successful day’s racing in day three of the Baltimore VX40 Grand Prix on Monday with two second places, one third and a first.

The team welcomed Robert Greenhalgh, of Volvo Ocean Race series leaders ABN Amro One, as fifth man on board the Basilica for the third and fourth races of the day, and he saw the high flying British entry record a stunning runaway victory in the final race to give the Hayling Island boat the lion’s share of the day’s points.

Monday will go down as Basilica’s day in Baltimore harbour with the 2-2-3-1 result meaning that Basilica has gained a further two points on the leaders Holmatro and Tommy Hilfiger.

Following a similarly strong performance on Sunday Basilica now lies only nine points behind Hilfiger in second, and twelve behind Holmatro in first. Sail-to-sail racing saw the British entry record two close seconds behind Hilfiger in races one and two, before a disastrous start in race three was well recovered with a third place finish. In the final race of the day Basilica helmsman Alister Richardson guided his boat over the start line in first place and maintained the lead until the very end.

There are three protests for today’s racing involving Team Basilica so final results of the day are pending the outcome of Tuesday’s hearings.

ABN Amro One crewman Robert Greenhalgh was delighted to have the opportunity to come onboard the VX40 boat where he joined up with his brother Peter who is on mainsheet on the Basilica.

'The VX40 boats produce some of the most exhilarating in-shore racing I have ever experienced. It was fantastic to be a part of this great crew and particularly to enjoy such a resounding win in the final race of the day'.

Basilica helmsman Alister Richardson was delighted with the crew’s performance:
'Today we saw some of the closest racing yet with all of the boats looking extremely competitive. The winds were stronger this afternoon than they have been so far in the harbour and that made the sailing even more difficult. However, we feel that we are getting stronger and stronger with every race in this Grand Prix. Our knowledge of the waters and the conditions is improving with every race and with it our confidence. We have two more days of racing still to take place and we will give it our best to continue to make up the points difference on Hilfiger and Holmatro – we can’t wait for tomorrow!'

Team Basilica lies second in the overall series standings on 15 points, only one behind Tommy Hilfiger. The Baltimore VX40 Grand Prix continues with the final two days of racing on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd May. At least three races will take place on each day.


Baltimore Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Points Standings after day two:

1. Holmatro – 96 points
2. Tommy Hilfiger – 93 points
3. Basilica – 84 points
4. Motorola – 65 points
5. Volvo Ocean Race – 58 points


Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series Overall Points Standings:

1. Tommy Hilfiger – 16 points
2. Basilica – 15 points
3. Motorola-CHR – 12 points
4. Volvo Ocean Race – 12 points
5. Holmatro – 11 points


Remaining Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series Dates:

Portsmouth, UK 27 May – 3 June, 2006
Rotterdam, Netherlands 9-14 June, 2006