Volvo Ocean Race, la flotta ha lasciato Stoccolma

[singlepic id=2940 w=300 h=204 float=left]Volvo Ocean Race – Stoccolma – Puma, sicuro del secondo posto assoluto grazie all’esclusione del rientrante Team Russia, ha preso la testa della tappa che porterà la flotta da Stoccolma a San Pietroburgo. Il via dell’ultima tappa di questa Volvo Ocean Race è stata data in condizioni meteo ottimali, rinfrescate da una brezza che ha soffiato tra i 10 e i 12 nodi. Il folto pubblico ha quindi potuto osservare le evoluzioni dei VOR 70 lungo il classico percorso sulle boe che anticipa ogni frazione.

Quasi a voler ricordare le gerarchie, anche gli altri due leader – Telefonica Blue ed Ericsson 4 – hanno voluto unirsi allo scafo di Ken Read nel momento in cui questo ha lasciato Sandhamm, teatro delle procedure di partenza.

Come anticipato ieri, Team Russia ha assistito al via della regata e si è unito alla flotta quando questa ha puntato verso il largo.

Sull’esito della frazione incombe lo spettro del vento leggero. Jack Lloyd, direttore della regata, è pronto a valutare la possibilità di un accorciamento di percorso. La flotta, infatti, deve arrivare a San Pietroburgo entro sabato mattina per passare due ponti mobili che verranno aperti per l’occasione.

VOLVO OCEAN RACE, PUMA LEADS AD VOLVO FLEET HEADS TO RUSSIA
[Volvo Ocean Race Press Release] Puma, who is now assured second place overall, led the Volvo fleet out of Sandhamn, on the outer edge of the Stockholm archipelago today – a spectacular day where conditions were perfect for the start of the tenth and final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 to St Petersburg in Russia.

Sailing confidently in 10 -12 knots of breeze, Puma, Telefónica Blue and Ericsson 4 were the front runners off the start line and a huge spectator crowd needed no excuse to get out on the water and watch what these ocean greyhounds do best. A steady breeze and flat water ensured plenty of white water spilled from the bows as the boats started a leg for the last time, fully powered up and under a cloudless sky.

Leading round both buoys marking the traditional ‘sausage’ before heading to out to sea, the crew of Puma had set the black boat up perfectly and extended their lead, while behind, Bouwe Bekking’s bowmen wrestled with their heavy code zero sail, which had remained furled and unused on the bow and was slowing the blue boat down. Green Dragon scorched past overall race winner Ericsson 4, who had the pressure put on by sister ship Ericsson 3, while Telefónica Black and Delta Lloyd were in the second string.

Team Russia joined the pack once the racing fleet had completed the inshore loop, to sail, but not to race, homewards to St Petersburg, with owner Oleg Zherebtsov working the bow as he did in the earlier legs of the race.

Although speeds were good as the fleet left Sweden behind, the leg is expected to be predominantly upwind to Russia and race rules allow for Race Director, Jack Lloyd, to shorten the 400-mile course if necessary. The fleet must arrive in St Petersburg on Saturday morning in order to clear customs and pass through two bridges, which will be raised specially in order to let the fleet into the historic city.

Puma has now clinched second place overall, their performance improving hugely in the second half of the race. Telefónica Blue will take third after losing the battle for second when they finished last in leg nine after going aground in Marstrand, while Ericsson 4 is the runaway leader, winning the race with a leg to spare.

Related post

Volvo Ocean Race, ultima notte di passione Volvo Ocean Race, 400 miglia e poi arrivederci Volvo Ocean Race, domani l’ultima In-Port Race Volvo Ocean Race, Puma al comando nel vento leggero