PRB get great start to Barcelona World Race

by Event media on 12 Nov 2007 It was a clean start in light winds as expected at start time for the Barcelona World Race on Sunday with Hugo Boss and PRB set to fly spinnakers and the other boats under gennaker...PRB sailed through the spectator fleet...what a sight, but what a risk!

PRB and Hugo Boss converged with PRB crossing several boat lengths ahead of the British boat, with Delta Dore in third place with Paprec-Virbac 2 and Estrella Damm close behind.

At the first turning mark PRB led, with Hugo Boss just over two minutes behind. Paprec Virbac 2 roared in next, just jumping ahead of Delta Dore and Estrella Damm nipping in as well.

Vincent Riou and PRB held a 6:38 lead on the return crossing of the start line. Delta Dore was in second place with Estrella Damm and Mutua Madrileña in nearly a dead heat for third and fourth position. Veolia Environnement and Paprec-Virbac 2 were in fifth and sixth position, with Temenos II and Hugo Boss in seventh and eighth and Educación sin Fronteras coming up behind.

Vincent Riou and Seb Josse continued to lead the Barcelona World Race fleet as PRB passed the Sierra mark. Delta Dore next, followed by Estrella Damm, Veolia Environnement, Paprec-Vibrac 2 and Mutua Madrileña. Paprec Virbac is the only boat to have tacked inshore.

Currently there is a very light Northwest gradient breeze and a light, Southwesterly sea breeze is expected to develop this afternoon. Unfortunately, the two breezes are likely to be battling each other to a stalemate near the 13:00 start time, meaning very little wind for the start. The sea breeze may develop to just over 5 knots as the afternoon progresses.

At the Estrella Damm buoy off Sitges, the standings and timings were:

1. PRB – 17:03:07
2. Delta Dore – 17:13:42
3. Veolia Environnement – 17:18:03
4. Estrella Damm – 17:24:20
5. Hugo Boss – 17:25:06
6. Paprec Virbac 2 – 17:27:09
7. Mutua Madrilena – 17:30:31
8. Temenos II – 17:37:12
9. Educacion sin Fronteras