Dave Kneale / Volvo Ocean Race
It's unbelievable. We had a fantastic strategy when we needed it. Aksel did a really good job on that. We were tired, but we had a tremendous fighting spirit to the end
Thursday 26 March 2009, 1120 GMT
FINISH BLOG
1045 UPDATE - Ericsson 3 wins Leg 5
Ericsson 3 has finally crossed the finish line in Rio De Janeiro to win Leg 5.
After an agonising march to glory, Swedish skipper Magnus Olsson and his men officialy finished at 10:37:57 GMT.
On arrival, a jubilant Olsson, buoyed by the result, said: "It's unbelievable. We had a fantastic strategy when we needed it. Aksel (Magdahl) did a fantastic job on that. We executed that strategy in a very good way.
"We were so tired but we were fighting on with tremendous spirit right to the end, everybody worked well with each other. And, finally, we nursed the boat really well and didn't have any breakdowns."
Ericsson 3 started eight half hours behind the scheduled starters after a pit stop for repairs in Taiwan en route to the leg start in Qingdao. Olsson admitted the victory seemed a long way off at the time.
"We didn't look like a winner then," he said. "Getting there (Qingdao) tired, carbon dust all over the boat and eight hours late and a few guys new in the crew and all that, but we managed to turn it around, it's fantastic, it really is."
In a reference to the gamble on snubbing perceived wisdom and heading north in the Southern Ocean at the scoring waypoint at 36 degress south, he added: "It was the fantastic strategy that convinced us that we take that risk. We all wanted to take it and the execution of that was very good. We sailed very well.
"Aksel said if it's going to work we have to sail really well - a performance of 100 per cent all the time otherwise we're going to be late with the pressure coming there and the front coming there and all that.
"We sailed really hard but we were on the borderline of destroying the boat. But we managed to keep the boat in one piece. That was the key to our success."
Asked about the go-slow towards the finish line when Ericsson 3 fell into a wind hole and almost ground to a halt within sight of the chequered flag, Olsson, ever the comedian, said: "We didn't want to get too far ahead, so we slowed down a bit, in order to control the other boats."
We will bring you more dockside reaction and plenty of photographs of 11 delirious Nordic crew members shortly.
0945 UPDATE
Final couple of miles now, but in very light winds, progress is slow. But it's a beautiful sunny morning in Rio; a perfect morning to welcome some very worthy leg winners.
We'll give you the finish time when they cross the line and bring you all the reaction from dockside shortly.
0820 UPDATE - 8 MILES TO GO
Ericsson 3 navigator Aksel Magdahl has just fired off this email from the boat, received at 0816 GMT:
"So the waiting to get to Rio is about to come to an end. As I write this, 8 miles are remaining. Not much breeze for the last night, but we were fortunate enough to find a good squall-line to follow at good speed on course for Rio for two hours before we stopped. Now the land breeze has finally filled out to us.
"It has been a big leg, too big to get philosophic about now. But one thing is sure, that everyone gave their best the whole way, and you can see now how impressed everyone are about all the other team members. I am sure there will be emotions at the finishing line!
"Once again, a big thanks to everyone that has supported us on the way! This is a team victory, we owe huge thanks to everyone that contributed on all areas within the team to get us to the start line for this leg!!"
Best from all on Ericsson 3
0730 UPDATE
Gustav Morin, the media crew member on Ericsson 3, has sent in a short email. Magnus Olsson, on deck for his last watch, told him, 'Our record during this watch was 2.1 knots,' before he dropped off to sleep.
But according to Gustav, 'We can now see the glow from the famous statue of Jesus and the light from Rio is clearly reflecting on the sky.'
They are getting closer, despite the slow progress.
0700 UPDATE
The wait continues as calm conditions extend out from the city of Rio de Janeiro. Ericsson 3 is making just 2 knots towards the finish line, now 18 miles away. The team has managed to run just seven miles since the 0400 report. A windspeed of 3 knots is responsible. See all the gory details in the Data Centre.
There's little doubt that this final stretch is proving extremely frustrating for the Nordic crew. But skipper Magnus Olsson has plenty of experience bringing race boats into Rio. He'll be a steadying influence.
Behind, Ericsson 4 remains in Stealth mode, meaning Torben and team are at least 50 miles from the finish.
And PUMA is closing in on the finish as well, now just over 100 miles away. With a bit of luck, the il mostro crew won't suffer the same fate, and can ride the daytime sea breeze all the way to the finish line.
0500 UPDATE
The Ericsson Racing Team has been in contact with the boat, and as Magnus Olsson's Nordic crew gets closer to the finish, the wind is disappearing. All but becalmed at 05:00, the team is barely making progress towards the finish line. Navigator Aksel Magdahl's prediction of a finish at sunrise (near 0830 GMT) is looking better and better.
0430 UPDATE
It's close to the end for Ericsson 3, as their cloak of invisibility disappears with the 04:00 position report. Earlier tonight, the team went through a stage of no wind, with boatspeeds as low as just one knot.
But then the wind came up and so did their speed. At 04:00 GMT, the Nordic crew was registering about 6 knots of wind, and making 8 knots of speed.
Behind, Ericsson 4 is still in stealth mode. In third place, PUMA has slowed down as well, but is now within 143 miles of the finish line.
We'll keep you updated with the latest information right here.