Photos: L ©Oskar Kihlborg R ©Oskar Kihlborg
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Sat, 25 Mar 2006 18:30:00 UTC
In Port Race results
1 ABN AMRO ONE 3.5 pts
ELT: 2h 26m 30s Finish time: 18:26:30 GMT
2 movistar 3 pts
ELT: 2h 28m 35s Finish time: 18:28:35 GMT Delta: 2:05
3 Ericsson Racing Team 2.5 pts
ELT: 2h 30m 49s Finish time: 18:30:49 GMT Delta: 4:19
4 Brasil 1 2 pts
ELT: 2h 31m 42s Finish time: 18:31:42 Delta: 5:12
5 ABN AMRO TWO 1.5 pts
ELT: 2h 31m 45s Finish time: 18:31:45 GMT Delta: 5:15
6 Pirates of the Caribbean 1 pt
2h 32m 14s Finish time: 18:32:14 GMT Delta: 6:14
1830GMT ABN AMRO ONE wins from movistar while Brasil 1 makes a last minute charge towards the line, overtaking ABN AMRO TWO and Pirates. This is a good result for movistar as they went into the water only yesterday. Ericsson is third, a podium place at last after that initial spark to win the first In Port in Sanxenxo. Brasil 1 took a massive charge through the fleet from the west side and has overtaken Pirates to take fourth from ABN AMRO TWO in fifth and Paul Cayard's Pirates have slumped to last. Apart from the leader, who held their place virtually from the off, every other boat had its turn as second, with mistakes usually being the cause of place changes. Unofficial times are: ABN AMRO ONE wins after two hours and 26 minutes of racing, movistar second one minute 52 in arears, Ericsson third, one minute 35 seconds back, then Brasil 1 38 seconds astern of Ericsson, ABN AMRO TWO another five seconds back, and Pirates 35 seconds further astern - last.
1825GMT The spectators gather at the finish line to watch ABN AMRO ONE take the In Port race in fine style to reinforce their dominance over the rest of the Volvo Open 70 fleet.
1815GMTAt the final mark ABN AMRO ONE round in the lead after two hours and eight minutes of racing, one minute and 30 seconds in front of movistar. movistar have sailed well to catch up on the leader, though you have to say that the leader might be playing safe. At the mark Ericsson were well in front of Pirates who rounded just inside ABN AMRO TWO. Brasil 1 followed. Unofficial timings were Ericsson one minute 37 seconds behind movistar, Pirates and ABN AMRO TWO one minute and 40 further back, but a slow hoist by the kids allowed Pirates to sneak through. Then Brasil 1, surprisingly slow at the back by another 35 seconds. A disappointing performance in front of their home crowd.
1810GMT ABN AMRO ONE rounded the mark after one hour and 50 minutes of racing, one minute and 50 seconds ahead of movistar who have done the fastest leg of the race so far taking distance out of the leader. ABN AMRO TWO were one minute 30 seconds behind movistar, Ericsson another 29 seconds back. Pirates rounded 24 seconds behind Ericsson and 41 ahead of Brasil 1. Now, of course, ABN AMRO TWO have dropped into third behind Ericsson. The wind has increased and has shifted so that the west shore of the course is favoured at the moment. Not far to the final mark and then the downwind leg to the finish.
1800GMT ABN AMRO TWO lose their place to Ericsson as they touched the mark as they rounded and had to take a 360 degree turn. They are now chasing down Ericsson to take their wind and try to get ahead again. Ericsson will be fighting back and who would bet on John Kostecki against Sebastien Josse?
1750GMT Back down towards the leeward mark again, Pirates and Ericsson are battling, with Ericsson having dropped behind Pirates and trying to give them dirty air. ABN AMRO ONE enter the final lap with an early drop that goes like clockwork. Just two legs to go to the finish, one upwind, one downwind to the finish. movistar come to the mark with a good lead and go for a safe and early drop to avoid any hassles. Ericsson has overtaken Pirates again and indeed Pirates seem to have dropped behind ABN AMRO TWO who seem to be challenging Ericsson for third place. The wind has increased slightly and benefited the kids. The two boats come to the mark together and ABN AMRO TWO it is who take third from Ericsson, Pirates are fourth, Brasil 1 now last.
1740GMT At the last mark, ABN AMRO ONE lead by two minutes and 17 seconds from movistar after one hour and 34 minutes, sailing the last leg in 19 minutes, the fastest leg so far. Ericsson got back in front of Pirates and were 30 seconds behind movistar with Pirates another 11 seconds back. Then a bit of a gap to Brasil 1 52 seconds down on Pirates and ABN AMRO TWO last by nine seconds. Though the leader might be in a huge lead, there is a good battle for the minor placings.
1735GMT ABN AMRO ONE lead round the mark and the following three are in a pack closing on the mark to see who can get into second place. Pirates have made amazing progress back to the front, Ericsson too. But it looks as though movistar are second with Pirates crossing ahead of Ericsson to grab the third slot just before the mark. ANM AMRO TWO are at the back behnd Brasil 1.
1730GMT Pirates have started a recovery from their major with the headsail and seem to have crossed Brasil 1 and are closing on Ericsson. At the crossing between these two, Ericsson is only six lengths to the good and tacks on top of Pirates who have to tack off to avoid the dirty air. John Kostecki seems to be telling us that Pirates is perhaps slightly quicker. Ericsson and Pirates have split to either side of the course which could be a problem for Ericsson as the Pirates are coming back with a vengeance. ABN AMRO ONE are now in a soild lead from movistar. Brasil 1 are behind ABN AMRO TWO as the leaders approach the leeward mark.
1720GMT Pirates' problems have dropped them to the back without a headsail. movistar is second, followed by Ericsson. ABN AMRO TWO pipped Brasil 1 to the mark by a scant four seconds. Clouds are causing problems with the wind at the seaward end of the course and making fluctuations in the wind speed. Mark rounding times were as follows: ABN AMRO ONE led round after one hour and fifeteen minutes, 38 seconds ahead of Pirates; then movistar just eight seconds astern of Pirates. Ericsson was one minute and ten seconds behind movistar; ABN AMRO TWO was another 30 seconds back, with Brasil 1 nibbling at their transon just four seconds in arrears.
1715GMT Business as usual in the Volvo Ocean Race fleet with ABN AMRO ONE leading. Pirates are the up-and-coming boat in the fleet and are in second. ABN AMRO ONE comes to the bouy still leading, though the wind is dropping and Mike Sanderson must be slightly worried, though they have made huge strides in their light weather performance since that first In Port Race. Pirates are not that far ahead of movistar now with Ericsson following, then Brasil 1 whose gamble hasn't paid off. ABN AMRO TWO last. movistar are makig big inroads into the Pirates' lead on the rounding as Pirates have a headsail problem which drops them to third and Ericsson has made a lot of ground. Pirates stil have the problem and Ericsson has gone past. Perhaps the jib has come out of the headfoil on Pirates and they are dropping their headsail. Will Brasil 1 overtake too?
1700GMT At the third mark ABN AMRO ONE led by a huge one minute 15 seconds from Pirates after 58 minutes of racing. Pirates were followed by movistar at 22 seconds, then Ericsson at 21 seconds and Brasil 1 another 30 seconds, having overtaken ABN AMRO TWO who were another 18 seconds in arrears. Brasil 1 is taking risks to get back into contention and is sailing the west shore of the bay at the moment, contrary to the rest of the boats. She has made up considerable ground on the fleet to overtake ABN AMRO TWO and is closing on Ericsson. The wind is lighter and this might allow both Brasil 1 and Pirates to gain on the leader.
1655GMT On the second windward leg ABN AMRO ONE still leads from Pirates and Brasil 1 is still at the back of the fleet, trying to do something different to get back into this race after their penalty. They have stayed right on the eastern side of the bay, close to where skipper Torben Grael lives, looking for different winds. ABN AMRO ONE are playing things simply, covering Pirates and the chasing boats.
1645GMT movistar is first to tack towards the east shore, followed by Pirates and after a while ABN AMRO ONE. Ericsson and ABN AMRO TWO go right with Ericsson high, and ABN AMRO TWO lower and ahead. ABN AMRO ONE is looking very good today with the wind that is here is at the moment. She is showing all her power and the avantage of the biggest daggerboards in the fleet. movistar keeps going to the east shore. Times round mark two were ABN AMRO ONE leading after 37 minites of racing, Pirates 16 seconds back, movistar another 14 seconds behind, followed by Ericsson 20 secods behind the Spaniards; then ABN AMRO TWO anther 20 seconds and Brasil 1 30 seconds behind the kid's boat.
1635GMTABN AMRO ONE lead at the leeward mark well in front, followed by Pirates about six lengths behind. There have been some distance changes in the fluctuating wind. movistar looks like being next, followed by Ericsson, then ABN AMRO TWO and finally Brasil 1 who has had to take a penalty for an infringement. Ericsson do a messy gybe and are slow off the mark onto the windward leg and ABN AMRO TWO close up on them. It looks as though Ericsson's troubles aren't over yet.
1630GMT We have lost contact with our commentators on the bay in Rio and can't bring you any more updates for the moment. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. . .
1620GMT At the first mark it's ABN AMRO ONE from Pirates with Brasil 1 ahead of movistar and Ericsson, but a slow rounding by the local boat hands a place to movistar. ABN AMRO TWO is well back. Brasil 1 approached on port and tacked just ahead of movistar, but in the process lost speed which allowed the Spanish boat to overtake the Brazilian as they rounded and set spinnakers.
1615GMTEricsson crosses Brasil 1 as they head to the left side of the centre of the course. Brasil 1 have tacked again and seem to be making minute by minute choices depending on the wind and the local knowledge. The east side of the course was paying. movistar has tacked and crosses close behing ABN AMRO ONE. ABN AMRO ONE, Pirates and movistar are now on the west side of the course, having crossed the bay. ABN AMRO TWO are last. The remaining boats are only a few lengths apart. Brasil 1 is heading hard to the east side of the course. movistar has picked up distance on the west side of the course and crossed Ericsson.
1610GMT ABN AMRO ONE waited for Pirates to tack and then followed. Brasil 1 has come back and the boats that went to the middle seem to hae done better than the two that went to the shore. Brasil 1 has tacked again and is sailing down the middle of the course - towards the bulge of the Santos Dumont airport, looking for a lift in the wind.
1605GMT Ericsson leads the fleet to the east side, with ABN AMRO ONE and movistar next, then Pirates further to the right and fourth. ABN AMRO TWO and Brasil 1 are having a battle and Brasil 1 is just making ground from their last place early on. There has been a small shift to the right. movistar tacks and takes Pirates' stern. Ericsson tacks. ABN AMRO ONE standing on, with the right shift, Pirates probably in the lead, Brasil tacks too and is this local knowledge? ABN AMRO ONE and Pirates stand on on starboard towards the shore, splitting the fleet.
1600GMT Plenty of wind for the pre-start manoeuvres with an increase over five mnutes ago. Plenty of cloud overhead. movistar hunting Ericsson pre-start. Boats well back from the line. Ericsson going for the pin end. ABN AMRO ONE in the middle leads the fleet to the line. Brasil 1 quite late at the start. ABN AMRO ONE wins the start if they were not over early. movistar and Ericsson then following ABN AMRO ONE. Pirates on the hip of ABN AMRO ONE, Brasil 1 is well back.
1555GMT Five minute gun goes, fleet lining up with the wind blowing from the southern end of the bay with the start to the north, four laps, windward-leeward.
1550GMT Light wind, ten to 12 knots, but enough for the race and parhaps enough for a level playing field across the whole fleet. Many hundreds of spectators out on the outside of the course. The starting sequence is underway.
1515 GMT. Brasil 1 navigator Marcel van Triest has been taken ill and can't sail the In Port Race. Read Riath Al-Samaraai's story below. Another change is that the local VHF channel for commentary is now Ch 71.
Brasil 1 has been forced into a last-minute team reshuffle ahead of the Rio de Janeiro In Port race after Marcel Van Triest withdrew with a fever this morning.
Knut Frostad, who sailed the last three legs with the team, takes the Dutchman’s place in the navigator’s station having received a pleading phone call from skipper Torben Grael within the last hour.
Frostad said, “I’m happy, I love sailing and now I get a chance to win in front of the Brazilian people. We have a good chance and if we win it will be unreal.
“I didn’t not expect it because anything can happen and it usually does. Navigation will be an interesting experience, I’m sure we will do just fine. The team has a lot of knowledge about these waters.
“I’m excited. I was meant to be out on the water with a Wallenius Wilhelmsen corporate group, but they let me off. Thanks to them.”
Grael explained the call up, “Knut returns to the crew.
“It’s a natural choice because he was onboard for 10,000 miles. He understands a little bit about navigation so we can team up so we can replace Marcel in this area.
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