Volvo In-port race goes to ABN AMRO ONE

by Volvo on 12 Jun 2006 ABN AMRO ONE, which is registered and christened in Rotterdam, worked her way into the lead in the early stages and did not look back. In front of a huge spectator crowd they crossed the finish line 3 minutes and 20 seconds in front of Torben Grael’s Brasil 1.

After a postponed start due to a large wind shift just after the five minute warning signal fired, the in-port race got underway in 8-10 knots of wind. Neal McDonald’s Ericsson was a little too quick off the line and had to turn back after starting prematurely.

ABN AMRO ONE hit the line with pace, hotly pursued by Brasil 1 and Paul Cayard’s Pirates of the Caribbean who went on to challenge the Dutch boat all the way around the 20 mile race course.

With added confidence after winning leg eight yesterday, Brasil 1 was on top form and pushed hard throughout the leg, closing the gap to just 15 seconds at one point. A decision to split tacks from ABN AMRO ONE on the third upwind leg saw the Dutch team pull out a 1 minute 26 second lead.

The Race Committee’s decision to shorten course on the downwind leg due to the dying breeze, saw ABN AMRO ONE take line honours. Brasil 1 crossed the line in second place followed by Pirates of the Caribbean who finished 51 seconds behind Brasil 1 in third place.

Ericsson managed to recover from the start and came from behind to finish fourth which was helped by a boat handling error onboard Sebastien Josse’s ABN AMRO TWO when they managed to twist their headsail during the second mark rounding, forcing them to drop it and re-hoist it again.

The Dutch/Australian entry Brunel skippered by Australian Grant Wharington for the in-port race moved up to finish fifth with ABN AMRO TWO sixth.

Overall, ABN AMRO ONE has an unbeatable lead and heads up the overall leaderboard. Brasil 1 maintains third place overall but managed to close the gap by half a point on second placed Pirates of the Caribbean.

Due to navigational error on leg eight, Brunel were forced to retire from the leg which results in ABN AMRO TWO overtaking Ericsson overall and holding fourth place with Ericsson fifth.

The fleet now have a few days to recover until they head off again on the final leg from Rotterdam to Göteborg on Thursday 15 June.

In-port race results
[position/team name/skipper/elapsed time]

1st ABN AMRO ONE, Mike Sanderson (NZL) 1 hr 55 mins 32 sec
2nd Brasil 1, Torben Grael (BRA) 1 hr 58 mins 52 sec
3rd Pirates of the Caribbean, Paul Cayard (USA) 1 hr 59 mins 43 sec
4th Ericsson Racing Team, Neal McDonald (GBR) 2 hr 01 mins 17 sec
5th Brunel, Grant Wharington (AUS)/Matt Humphries (GBR) 2 hr 07 mins 02 sec
6th ABN AMRO TWO, Sebastien Josse (FRA) 2 hr 08 mins 33 sec

Current Leaderboard (Provisional)
[position/team name/skipper/race points to date]

1st ABN AMRO ONE, Mike Sanderson (NZL) 94.0 pts
2nd Pirates of the Caribbean, Paul Cayard (USA) 66.0 pts
3rd Brasil 1, Torben Grael (BRA) 62.0 pts
4th ABN AMRO TWO, Sebastien Josse (FRA) 52.5 pts
5th Ericsson Racing Team, Neal McDonald (GBR) 52.0 pts
6th movistar, Bouwe Bekking (NED) 48.0 pts
7th Brunel, Grant Wharington (AUS)/Matt Humphries (GBR) 11.5 pts