TELEFONICA BLUE EMAIL: 'Off for our last leg'

Thursday, 25 June 2009, 13:40 GMT

Telefónica Blue - Bouwe Bekking (Skipper)

Stockholm has been very, very busy for us. Due to our late arrival, we haven't had a day off, so not much seen of this beautiful city, besides the harbour and the hotel. Of course the good weather has helped tremendously so that many people have come out to see the boats. The entire set-up was good for the public, they could come close to the bases and the boats. Stockholm has in that sense set a good example of how it can be done for other cities in the next race.

It was an early start; the alarm went off at 0545 as the boats were leaving the harbour at 0730. We had to motor for nearly 5 hours to the start area. It was a beautiful day to motor through the archipelago and pretty soon we were accompanied by hundreds of boats.

Now we are off for our last leg to St.Petersburg and nearly 2 hours in the race. Puma just got the better of us out of the start and is now about 6 lengths ahead of us. It is guaranteed to be a busy 36 hours, with not much sleep!!

Cheers,

Bouwe

Received 13:40 GMT