It was a great win in the ‘Light In-Port Race' for Bouwe Bekking's Telefónica Blue after a long postponement in Rio de Janeiro Saturday April 4. PUMA (Ken Read/USA) put in a solid performance to take second, but the surprise result was the outstanding performance by the rejuvenated Delta Lloyd with Spaniard, Roberto Bérmudez in charge, who took the third podium position.
Only one race was run due to the two hour postponement, but once the sea breeze filled in, there was a solid seven to 10 knot southerly breeze on the Guanabara Bay. Ian Walker and Green Dragon led the fleet off the pin end of the start line, with Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA), sailing with HRH the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden onboard, and Delta Lloyd looking good at the windward end.
Ken Read elected to start on port tack, and out in the clear air on the right hand side of the course, the choice paid off. At the first mark PUMA led the field, followed closely by Ericsson 3, the winner of leg five, with Magnus Olsson as skipper.
On the first down wind leg, Telefónica Blue and Delta Lloyd, who were mid fleet at the top mark, both benefitted from a big puff of wind on the left hand side of the course and shot into first and second place. Telefónica Blue was never challenged for the lead, but PUMA managed to slip past Delta Lloyd to steal second place.
The main action today was towards the middle of the fleet, an unusual position for the multiple Olympic medallist and local lad Torben Grael, when he found himself in a race between Green Dragon and Telefónica Black (Fernando Echávarri/ESP).
Both Ericsson 4 and Telefónica Black managed to beat back Green Dragon to post fourth and fifth at the finish, pushing Ian Walker and his men into sixth place. After their superb start, Green Dragon was never really in contention and Ian Walker will no doubt be disappointed with his result today. Ericsson 3's day was effectively over when she had to take a penalty for a port/starboard infringement with Telefónica Black.
Today's results do not change the order on the overall leaderboard, but do close the margin between Ericsson 4 at the top and PUMA and Telefónica Blue in second and third place.
The start of leg six, 4,500 nm from Rio to Boston begins next Saturday, 11 April.
The Light In-Port Race Rio de Janeiro Results (Provisional)
1. Telefónica Blue 4.0 points
2. PUMA 3.5 points
3. Delta Lloyd 3.0 points
4. Ericsson 4: 2.5 points
5. Telefónica Black 2.0 points
6. Green Dragon 1.5 points
7. Ericsson 3: 1 points
8. Team Russia DNS
Overall Leaderboard
1. Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA): 66 points
2. PUMA (Ken Read/USA): 56.5 points
3. Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/NED): 54.5 points
4. Ericsson 3 (Magnus Olsson/SWE): 44.5 points
5. Green Dragon (Ian Walker/GBR): 41 points
6. Telefónica Black (Fernando Echávarri/ESP): 23 points
7. Delta Lloyd (Roberto Bermudez/ESP): 15 points
8. Team Russia (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT): 10.5 points
Lizzie (Green) Ward - Senior Race Press Officer (Race HQ - UK)
Tel: +44 1489 554 832, Mob: +44 7801 185 320
Email: lizzie.ward@VolvoOceanRace.org
Sophie Luther - International Press Officer in Rio
Mob: + 55 21 8282 1221
Email: Sophie.luther@volvooceanrace.org
Images
High resolution images can be downloaded from: http://images.volvooceanrace.org
Tim Stonton, Picture Desk Manager Email: images@VolvoOceanRace.org
Tel: +44 1489 554 867 Mob: +44 7816 975 355
Broadcast
For broadcast-standard video, please go to: www.thenewsmarket.com
If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register.
For assistance, please Email: journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com
Radio/Audio
For all radio reports/interviews audio requests, please contact:
Guy Swindells (English) Mob: +55 21 8288 2267
Email: guy.swindells@VolvoOceanRace.org
or
Amanda Blackley (English, Spanish and French)
Mob: +55 21 8284 6299, Email: amanda.blackley@VolvoOceanRace.org
To receive the latest positions and breaking news on your mobile telephone, text "RACE" to +46 737 494949
Full press information can be read and downloaded from: http://press.volvooceanrace.org