Vestas 11th Hour Racing - The Long Way Back - Video

Vestas 11th Hour Racing passes under Auckland's Harbour Bridge - the milestone marking the end of her repair and the start of her sailing © Vestas 11th Hour Racing

The Team at Vestas 11th Hour Racing had a big job ahead of them if the Volvo 65 was to be repaired after her collision at the end of Leg 4, if she was to make the start of Leg 7, and another foray into the Southern Ocean.

In this video the team take us on their eight week repair journey from the Hong Kong United Dockyard, to being lifted on board the freighter, unloaded in Tauranga and then delivered to the Yachting Developments Ltd yard in Hobsonville Auckland, before being relaunched and motoring down the Waitemata to rejoin the Volvo Ocean Race fleet in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.

Sailing for three weeks on Leg 6 would have been a lot easier.

Vestas 11th Hour Racing exits the shed at YDL, Hobsonville ready for the final stage of her repair journey - photo © Vestas 11th Hour Racing

Vestas 11th Hour Racing about to relaunch from the old flying boat base at Hobsonville - photo © Vestas 11th Hour Racing

Vestas 11th Hour Racing is lifted off her cradle and is lowered keel-less into the water at Hobsonville - photo © Vestas 11th Hour Racing

Vestas 11th Hour Racing is offered onto her keel at Viaduct Harbour, Auckland - photo © Vestas 11th Hour Racing

Vestas 11th Hour Racing sea trialling on the Waitemata harbour - photo © Vestas 11th Hour Racing