Volvo Ocean Race

Review

Watch the replay of the Sanya Haitang Bay In-Port Race in full HD click here

Final results:

Position / Team / Finish time / Points

1. Team Telefonica / 58 minutes 37 seconds / 6 points

2. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG / 59 minutes 18 seconds / 5 points

3. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing / 62 minutes 57 seconds / 4 points

4. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand / 64 minutes 12 seconds / 3 points


5. Groupama sailing team / 65 minutes 28 seconds / 2 points


6. Team Sanya / 65 minutes 50 seconds / 1 point

Team Telefónica continued their domination of the Volvo Ocean Race today as they edged out a victory in the Sanya Haitang In-Port Race, narrowly beating PUMA Ocean Racing to claim a maximum six points.

It was the second in-port victory in four races for Iker Martínez’s men, who have also won all three offshore legs. Glory in Sanya Bay sees Telefónica extend their lead at the top of the overall standings to 18 points over CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand, who could finish no better than fourth.

"Today the tactics were what made the difference," Martínez said. "We were really in the right place for the upwind legs and the first downwind too. Even if we weren't great at manouevres, we were in the right place and that's what mattered."

PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG took second place with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing claiming the final podium position. After a slow first leg CAMPER pulled back places but could never get back in touch with the leaders.

"I think we did a really good job of it today," said PUMA skipper Ken Read. "In a fleet like this we'll take second every day of the week."

Mike Sanderson’s hometown heroes on Team Sanya fought an incredible battle but were just edged into sixth by Franck Cammas’ Groupama sailing team.

Flat waters and winds gusting up to 20 knots provided perfect conditions for the fourth in-port race of the 2011-12 edition, allowing the teams to put on a spectacular show for the thousands of spectators who turned out to watch the action.


Telefónica commanded the lead from the start, rounding the first mark with a 28-second lead over their rivals before a rare error at the second mark saw Ken Read’s PUMA close the gap to just three seconds.
However nothing could stop Telefónica romping to victory, eventually winning by a margin of 41 seconds.

The overall rankings remain unchanged. Telefónica now lead with 101 points, followed by CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand on 83 and Groupama sailing team on 73. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG have 53, followed by Abu Dhabi on 43 and Team Sanya on 17.

Download

- Sanya Haitang In-Port Race crew list

- Sanya Haitang In-Port Race course map

Preview

Near-perfect conditions are forecast for the Sanya Haitang Bay In-Port Race. Flat seas and a breeze of around 20 knots are set to combine in the protected waters of Sanya Bay to create ideal inshore racing conditions.

The 50-minute inshore course will see the teams blast past the race village before turning and heading back towards the start line. They will then head north to another turning mark before racing back.

With a record of two wins in three in-port races, all eyes will be on Ian Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing as the six teams enter battle at 1400 local time (0600 UTC). But with little success offshore, the pressure is on Walker’s team to pick up much-needed points if they are to start to ascend the overall rankings from their current fifth position.

It’s the opposite story for current leaders Team Telefónica who have set the bar in the offshore legs winning all three so far but have posted inconsistent results inshore. Although they won in Cape Town, Iker Martínez’s team finished last in Alicante and fifth in Abu Dhabi.

Download

- Sanya Haitang In-Port Race crew list

- Sanya Haitang In-Port Race course map