Rotterdam Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix - day 2

by Ben Faber on 11 Jun 2006 Team Basilica kept their hopes of claiming the overall series title alive today with a strong finish on the second day of the final VX40 Grand Prix in Rotterdam.

After finishing fifth in the first race, the all-British boat made a strong recovery to take a second and a first place in the last two races respectively. The results mean that the team from Hayling Island Sailing Club have made up a crucial point on series leaders Tommy Hilfiger with three more days of racing still to come.

It was an early start for the VX40 fleet which travelled 25 miles up river from Rotterdam to race in the open sea in place of the delayed Volvo Ocean Race in-port race. Following the team’s 5-4-3 results on Friday, Basilica needed to finish ahead of Hilfiger today to keep them in with a real chance of clinching the overall series win.

A bad start to race one, however, saw the Brits last over the start line and they were unable to make up ground on the fleet over the long off-shore course.

In race two James Grant’s crew regrouped and led for the first lap before a massive wind shift on the second downward leg saw them overtaken by Holmatro to finish in second place.

The team went one better in race three as they led from the start to take the all-important win.

A fourth race of the day was to see the fleet race back down river towards Rotterdam. However, with Basilica leading after 45 minutes of sailing, port officials called the boats off and the race was abandoned. Basilica has lodged a protest with the race committee to seek redress for the lost points and the hearing will be held on Saturday evening.

Basilica skipper James Grant was nevertheless satisfied with the day’s results:

'We have kept ourselves in contention for the overall series title today and after starting poorly in race one, to make up points on Hilfiger is very pleasing. We have not yet hit top form in Rotterdam but with three more days to come we still have plenty of time to catch the Americans and we will be going all out to do so. It was disappointing to have the fourth race cancelled because we were sailing very well but we have lodged a protest and we will see what comes of it.'

The VX40s have a rest day on Sunday and the racing will resume for three more days on Monday 12 June with three races scheduled to take place on each day.

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

1. Motorola-CHR – 50 points
2. Tommy Hilfiger – 45 points
3. Basilica – 37 points
4. Holmatro – 36 points
5. Volvo Ocean Race – 30 points

Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series Overall Points Standings:

1. Tommy Hilfiger – 32 points
2. Basilica – 30 points
3. Motorola-CHR – 26 points
4. Holmatro – 24 points
5. Volvo Ocean Race – 20 points