Dave Kneale / Volvo Ocean Race
After what happened to us in Marstrand, this is great for our morale. We dedicate this win to our shore crew ...
Sunday, 21 June 2009, 16:30 GMT
16:30 GMT UPDATE
The fleet has arrived back. Full dockside reaction from our team on the scene, and Mark Chisnell's Play of the Day, follows shortly ...
16:20 GMT UPDATE
Meanwhile, PUMA skipper Ken Read said: “We went out there with one goal and one goal only today. To either get ourselves ahead of Telefonica Blue for the day, or finish within one place.
"What that would do is virtually lock up second place overall in the race. For the first time in our lives, getting on the podium wasn’t that important. Being within one place of Telefonica Blue was. Mission accomplished.
"We knew it would be tough, as they [Telefonica Blue] have always been good in these In Port races, especially in that breeze. Sure enough they were great, but we equalled them. We succeeded today."
15:30 GMT UPDATE
On-board reaction is starting to trickle in. In an email from Telefonica Blue as it meanders its way to the race village, triumphant skipper Bouwe Bekking said: "I'm really happy for the team, because we really needed this result. After what happened to us in Marstrand, this is great for our morale. We dedicate this win to our shore crew.
"The first race started badly for us. We were last in the first mark, but after a very good second part of the race, we managed to finish third. The second race was simply perfect, leading from start to finish."
Bekking has no intention of giving up on second place overall despite PUMA currently having a mortgage on it. "Now, we have to focus on the next leg, from Stockholm to St Petersburg, starting next Thursday," he added. "In that one we also have to get maximum points." It would be one helluva gazumping if they pulled it off.
As for the enormous spectator fleet, hometown hero and Ericsson 3 skipper Magnus Olsson said: "We are thrilled to be sailing in the Swedish archipelago. What an amazing spectator fleet with all the Swedish boats.
"I have never experienced that amount of boats to show up for an event like this at any time in my life."
That is some statement from a six-time Volvo veteran, who has been there, done that and seen a lot of spectator boats in his time.
13:45 GMT UPDATE
The race course is some three hours away from the race village for the Volvo Open 70s, even slower if they get tangled up with the armada of spectator boats out today.
So full reaction is going to be delayed reaction, but we will bring it to you as soon as we can. In the meantime, you can watch re-runs of today's races on .tv to while kicking up your heels:
Replay Race 1Replay Race 2
13:15 GMT UPDATE: RACE TWO FINISH
Joy for Telefonica Blue. A win in the second race gives Bouwe Bekking's men overall victory in Stockholm, their fourth inshore race victory of the series.
It also enables the Blue boat to shave a sliver - half a point - off PUMA's advantage over them in the overall race standings - 98.5-92.
Check the leaderboard on the home page for the overall standings. The breakdown of points is in the race Data Centre. It's also where the tie-break system, which sorted out the overall results today, is explained.
It's a brilliant recovery Bekking's men after the devastation of the Leg 9 start when they were forced to suspend racing after hitting a rock. That mishap effectively ended their challenge to PUMA for second place overall to Ericsson 4.
It is still mathematically possible for the cat to be caught, but the cards would have to fall heavily in Telefonica Blue's favour for that to happen.
STOCKHOLM IN-PORT RACE SERIES: OVERALL RESULTS
1. Telefonica Blue - 4 pts
2. PUMA - 3.5 pts
3. Telefonica Black - 3 pts
4. Ericsson 4 - 2.5 pts
5. Ericsson 3 - 2 pts
6. Delta Lloyd - 1.5 pts
7. Green Dragon - 1 pt
RACE TWO PROVISIONAL RESULTS:
1. Telefonica Blue
2. Telefonica Black
3. PUMA
4. Ericsson 4
5. Delta Lloyd
6. Ericsson 3
7. Green Dragon
P.S. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel won the British Grand Prix from team-mate Mark Webber with Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello third. Championship leader Jenson Button was sixth.
12:55 GMT UPDATE
At the windward mark for the final time of asking, Bekking has got his wish and helped Telefonica Black to put a few yards on PUMA. Team tactics are paying off. Can PUMA bridge the gap? Prayers are being said.
So, Telefonica Blue leads the charge, and victory in this second race will give them victory overall in Stockholm. Telefonica Black second from PUMA. As for the rest, the order is Ericsson 4, Delta Lloyd, Green Dragon, Ericsson 3.
12:50 GMT UPDATE
Tele Blue comfortably in the lead at the mid-way gate, the sweaty palms belong to Telefonica Black as PUMA begins to pounce - that's where the interest is in terms of race standings and the overall leaderboard. It's going to the wire.
Bekking and his crew are squeezing down on PUMA to open up a path for the sistership. The Blue boat would dearly love to put a boat between her and PUMA. Ken Read's men are being double-teamed. Being 'gassed', according to Mark Chisnell.
12:40 GMT UPDATE
At the bottom mark, Telefonica Blue leads from Telefonica Black who took the high road to relegate PUMA to third. The Black boat is playing the perfect team game as far as Bekking is concerned.
Ericsson 4 is fourth from Green Dragon, Delta Lloyd and Ericsson 3. The whole fleet is on port tack for the second beat as the wind shifts to the left.
12:35 GMT UPDATE
At the windward mark for the first time, Telefonica Blue gets the jump on the fleet to grab the lead. PUMA is second from Telefonica Black and Green Dragon. Ericsson 4 just shades Delta Lloyd with the Nordics, heroes to zeros, last.
How will these positions, and the aggregate scores from the Stockholm series impact on the overall leader board? Our mathematicians are working on it. It's close out there, many permutations are possible at this stage.
12:30 GMT UPDATE
Telefonica Black and PUMA are scrapping at the front at the approach to the mid-way gate. Delta Lloyd and Ericsson 4 are in the mix as well. The cross at the gate will sort out the order. It's tight between PUMA and the Black boat. Heady times for the strategists.
Meanwhile, Tele Blue is threatening. PUMA and the Black boat rolls into a tack as does Blue. Could be a decisive move for Bouwe Bekking's men.
12:20 GMT UPDATE: RACE TWO START
Different approach this time tactically. The fleet is setting up for the right-hand side. They are tightly bunched. Good starts from Ericsson 4 and Green Dragon, at the pin end.
PUMA tacks to the right soon after the gun as the fleet splits. PUMA, Tele Black, Green Dragon, Delta Lloyd are drag racing on port leaving Ericsson 4 on starboard as they power upwind for the first time. Ericsson 3 is hung out to dry.
12:15 GMT UPDATE
Five minute gun. Can PUMA go two-for-two? Similar conditions to the first instalment - about 12 knots of breeze. Will the right pay early again?
12:10 GMT UPDATE
10 minute gun sounds for Race Two. As reported earlier, there are thousands of spectator boats out on the water. Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad, who knows a thing or three about these things, says he has never seen such a clamour for a sailing event. The Swedes are out in force for the Formula One of sailing.
Speaking of which, there are over 100,000 gathered at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix today and not a sailing fan in sight.
11:48 GMT UPDATE: RACE ONE FINISH
PUMA claims the spoils. The Nordics on Ericsson 3 see off the attentions of Telefonica Blue to take second. Ericsson 4 is forced to gybe to lay the line and snatches fourth place from a fast-finishing Telefonica Black. Green Dragon and Delta Lloyd settle for the scraps.
STOCKHOLM IN-PORT RACE SERIES: RACE ONE PROVISIONAL RESULTS
1. PUMA
2. Ericsson 3
3. Telefonica Blue
5. Telefonica Black
6. Green Dragon
7. Delta Lloyd
11:40 GMT UPDATE
Telefonica Blue has turned on the after-burners at the half-way gate and Ericsson 3 is in danger of being singed. PUMA leads through the gate.
11:30 GMT UPDATE
Telefonica Blue overcook the port tack to the mark and concede ground to PUMA. It appears Blue and E3 had trouble spotting the mark amid the sea of spectator boats. So, PUMA leads around the top mark from E3 and Blue. Ken Read and his men hoist the chute and head for home.
The battle between E3 and Blue is intense, just two boatlengths between them at the mark. Telefonca Black is fourth, Ericsson 4 fifth. A gap back to Green Dragon and Delta Lloyd limps along at the back. The post mortem on the Dutch boat after Race One may be worth eavesdropping on.
11:25 GMT UPDATE
At the bottom mark, the order is PUMA, Ericsson 3 and Telefonica Black. Telefonica Blue, mounting a stirring comeback is fourth and has headed to the right-hand side of the race track for the second beat. Bekking, not for the first time in this race, has PUMA in his sights.
Green Dragon, Ericsson 4 and Delta Lloyd compete the picture.
11:20 GMT UPDATE
PUMA maintains her lead, hounded by the Ericsson twins. The Telefonicas, meanwhile, relishing the downwind going, have hoisted their kites, pulled up their socks and are back in the game.
11:15 GMT UPDATE
Telefonica Blue, hanging out at the back a minute adrift of PUMA, decides to roll the dice and gybes.
11:10 GMT UPDATE
Breeze shifts left forcing Green Dragon to tack. PUMA benefits. Meanwhile, the battle out on the left is a bruising affair. Ericsson 3, Delta Lloyd, Ericsson 4 all trading blows for the lead. Tele Blue has had a shocker.
At the top mark, PUMA leads, Ericsson 3 is second from Delta Lloyd, Green Dragon and Ericsson 4 in close company. There follows Telefonica Black. Bringing up the rear is the sistership Telefonica Blue. Not what Bouwe Bekking needs with PUMA in charge.
11:05 GMT UPDATE
The port side gamble has paid for Green Dragon at the halfway gate. Both Ian Walker and PUMA have made gains. The breeze is still favouring the middle of the course. Just. A squabble develops between Tele Blue and Delta Lloyd. Some crossing coming up.
11:00 GMT UPDATE: RACE ONE START
Great start at the pin end for Ericsson 4, Delta Lloyd and Telefonica Blue. They lead the bulk of the fleet on starboard tack on this first leg in about 11 knots.
PUMA gets dirty air and is forced to tack away at the line. Not a good getaway for Ken Read's men. Green Dragon goes against the grain and starts on port tack behind the rest. PUMA follows her up the right-hand side of the course.
10:55 GMT UPDATE
Five minute gun sounds.
10:35 GMT UPDATE
Just half an hour until start time and the number of boats on the water keeps increasing. If you were to guess one-thousand, you wouldn't be far off.
The sea breeze has stabilised at about 7 to 10 knots, from 155-degrees. The Race Committee is still expecting it to shift right over the course of the afternoon, so watch for the teams to be looking towards that side of the race course.
We're expecting an on-time start, but keeping the race course clear could be a possible cause if there is a delay.
Otherwise, you couldn't get a better afternoon for racing. Bright skies, an enthusiastic crowd, and a reasonable sea breeze... what else could you ask for??
10:20 GMT UPDATE
The race committee is setting the course axis at 160 degrees with a course length of 1.6 nautical miles and the wind is currently around 7-8 knots from the south-east.
There is a huge fleet of hundreds, if not thousands, of spectator boats out on the water, and some special guests expected to be sailing on some of the Volvo Open 70s today including Loick Peyron and Carl Johan Sanger on Telefonica Blue, and Swedish actor Rafael Edholm on PUMA.
Live video and audio coverage will commence at 12:45 local, 10:45 GMT.
09:30 GMT UPDATE
Most of the fleet have arrived on the race course area now and so, it seems, has much of Sweden. There are hundreds of boats out here already, including a huge number of boats under sail. Working to patrol the edges of the race course is going to be difficult today.The Race Committee is just on station now too. They're reporting a beautiful sea breeze of 10 knots from 155-degrees, but it's expected to swing further right, more like 180-degrees, over the next hour or so.The cumulus clouds are continuing to develop, which is a great indication of the heating inshore that's necessary to develop this sea breeze. 10-12 knots is probably the best we can expect today, but that should be more than enough for good racing.
08:15 GMT UPDATE
It's a stunning day here in Stockholm, with bright sunshine bathing the race course area. Peter Rusch here, with Mark Chisnell... We're out early this morning to the race area, some 25 miles from Stockholm. One concern is wind. There was absolutely none when we were ferried out to our www.volvooceanrace.tv commentary spot this morning. But there is good news. Over the past 90 minutes, there has been massive cumulus cloud development over the land, which bodes very well for the forecasted sea breeze. As I write this now at 07:45 GMT, the first ripples are appearing on the water as a light wind gently fills in.The race course area is in the middle of the Swedish archipelago, and is a small, circular area, bounded by small islands and big rocks. Hundreds, if not thousands of spectator boats are expected to be out here this afternoon so the race management team is going to have their work cut out for them. Guy Swindells and his team will provide live audio commentary. And Mark and myself will be joined by Knut Frostad from the race course over on volvooceanrace.tv. All of the live coverage starts at 12:45 local time, or 10:45 GMT.
Rick Tomlinson / Volvo Ocean Race