Rick Tomlinson / Volvo Ocean Race
Spanish fans had plenty to cheer about as Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/Iker Martinez) made it a win-win situation in the Alicante in-port races to go to the top of the leaderboard.
After two races held in the bay of Alicante in glorious Mediterranean sunshine, Telefonica Blue led from start to finish in race one, and got the better of PUMA in an intense battle in the second race in front of a rapturous home support.
The short windward/leeward track set close to the shore was lined by over 500 spectator craft and thousands of people watched from the many vantage points on the shore. Over 45,000 people filed through the race village throughout the day.
The quay walls which gave an excellent view, were packed, and huge crowds gathered around the big screen in the race village as well as around the screens showing the race live in nearby hotels. Four helicopters hovered overhead, beaming back live footage to www.volvooceanrace.tv.
As for the race track, the battle took place in a south-easterly shifty breeze of 7-9 knots. “It was a very difficult day, the wind shifted a lot but we had a good time, both boats did very well and we enjoyed ourselves,” said Bekking after his double win.
Telefónica Black (Fernando Echávarri) claimed second place with Green Dragon (Ian Walker) in third. Both Telefónica boats have their training base in Alicante and their experience in this light and fluky breeze was evident, sailing high and fast throughout.
Race two was postponed just 30 seconds before the start as the wind shifted violently and then chaos ensued at the committee boat end of the line when the gun eventually fired. Team Russia (Andreas Hanakamp) collided with Delta Lloyd (Ger O’Rourke) and both boats were holed close the water line. Team Russia subsequently took a penalty turn and Ericsson 3 (Anders Lewander) had to dip back across the line after being OCS (on course side) when the gun fired.
PUMA (Ken Read) smoked away from the fleet looking very impressive, flying her massive Code Zero headsail with ease, but Telefónica Blue was hot on her heels.
Telefónica Black and Green Dragon scrapped as they approached the spectator fleet in third and fourth place while Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael) sailed confidently in clear air and Green Dragon was relegated to fifth as the group approached the top mark for the second time.
Telefónica Blue closed to within a boat length of PUMA as they approached the mid-course gate for the final time and PUMA struggled to hold onto their lead. Telefónica Blue finally rolled PUMA as the American team went slightly wide at the gate and Telefónica Blue snatched the advantage to claim a double victory.
PUMA skipper Ken Read said, “We are really pleased with the day. It was an ugly first race, but we’re happy with a third overall. The guys like each other and, after so much time, it’s good to go racing. It was a hard day and you have to put yourself in the right spot.”
The duel for third place between Telefónica Black and Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael) continued, while Ericsson 3 and Green Dragon duelled and the two damaged boats, Delta Lloyd and Team Russia held a private fight at the back of the fleet.
* Ericsson 3 was given 1 penalty point