copyright Ian Roman/VOR
copyright Ian Roman/VOR
copyright Ian Roman/VOR
copyright Paul Todd/VOR
copyright Paul Todd/VOR
Fuente info VOR
28 Oct 2011
CAMPER shine in final practice race
CAMPER came home first in the final practice race, as the six teams were given one last chance to hone their short-course technique ahead of tomorrow’s Iberdrola In-Port Race in Alicante, when the first points will be at stake.
After a short delay to enable an 8-10 knot breeze to develop across the racecourse, the practice race -- purely a test race, with no points to be won -- got underway shortly before 1500 local time.
Soon after the start there was an immediate difference of opinion between the teams on which might be the fastest route to the first turning mark, with PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG, CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand and Team Sanya all choosing the right hand side of the course, while Groupama sailing team, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Team Telefónica opted to head left towards the watching crowds on Postiguet Beach.
When the fleet converged on the approach to the first mark, Chris Nicholson at the helm of CAMPER and Franck Cammas on Groupama 4 were bow-to-bow at the front of the fleet.
CAMPER had timed their approach to perfection, however, and in the final metres to the mark they rolled over the French boat to round in first place. Ian Walker at the helm of Abu Dhabi rounded close behind Groupama, in third place.
Abu Dhabi made the best of the second leg to ease into second place by mark number two, rounding 40 seconds behind CAMPER, with PUMA skippered by Ken Read also sailing a good leg to move up to third.
The top three remained unchanged for the rest of the race, with a confident looking CAMPER crew taking the winning gun, ahead of Abu Dhabi in second and PUMA in third.
More wind is expected for tomorrow’s Iberdrola In-Port Race when the teams will battle it out in the first points scoring opportunity of the 2011-12 edition of Volvo Ocean Race.
Practice race provisional results:
1. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand
2. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
3. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG
4. Groupama sailing team
5. Team Sanya
6. Team Telefónica
