PUMA leads
as Volvo fleet heads to Russia
Leg 10, Day 1 - 14:08 GMT Thursday, June 25, 2009. |
 |
| PUMA, who is now assured second place overall, led the Volvo fleet out of Sandhamn, on the outer edge of the Stockholm archipelago today - a spectacular day where conditions were perfect for the start of the tenth and final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 to St Petersburg in Russia. |
|
PUMA Ocean Racing with their sights
set on the finish, on leg 10 from Stockholm to St Petersburg.
Photo © Rick Deppe / PUMA Ocean Racing / Volvo Ocean Race.
|
 |
|
|
| Sailing confidently in 10 to 12 knots of breeze, PUMA, Telefónica Blue and Ericsson 4 were the front runners off the start line and a huge spectator crowd needed no excuse to get out on the water to watch what these ocean greyhounds do best. |
|
The fleet get under way at the start
of leg 10 from Stockholm to St Petersburg.
Photo © Dave Kneale / Volvo Ocean Race.
|
 |
|
|
| A steady breeze and flat water ensured plenty of white water spilled from the bows as the boats started a leg for the last time, fully powered up and under a cloudless sky. |
|
Ericsson 3, skippered by Magnus Olsson
(SWE) at the start of leg 10 from Stockholm to St Petersburg.
Photo © Rick Tomlinson / Volvo Ocean Race.
|
 |
|
|
| Leading round both buoys marking the traditional ‘sausage’ before heading to out to sea, the crew of PUMA had set the black boat up perfectly and extended their lead. Just behind, Bouwe Bekking’s bowmen wrestled with their heavy code zero sail, which had remained furled and unused on the bow and was slowing the blue boat down. |
|
The crew of Green Dragon check on the
positions of the fleet, on leg 10 from Stockholm to
St Petersburg.
Photo © Guo Chuan / Green Dragon Racing / Volvo Ocean Race.
|
 |
|
|
| Green Dragon scorched past overall race winner Ericsson 4, who had the pressure put on by sister ship Ericsson 3, while Telefónica Black and Delta Lloyd were in the second string. |
|
Phil Jameson working on the bow of
Ericsson 4, at the start of leg 10 from Stockholm to
St Petersburg.
Photo © Guy Salter / Ericsson 4 / Volvo Ocean Race.
|
 |
|
|
| Team Russia joined the pack once the racing fleet had completed the inshore loop, to sail, but not to race. It was homeward voyage to St Petersburg, with owner Oleg Zherebtsov working the bow as he did during the earlier legs of the race. |
|
Roger Nilson navigating below on Telefonica
Black, during leg 10 from Stockholm to St Petersburg.
Photo © Anton Paz Telefonica Black / Volvo Ocean Race.
|
 |
|
|
Although speeds were good as the fleet left Sweden behind, the leg is expected to be predominantly upwind to Russia and race rules allow for Race Director, Jack Lloyd, to shorten the 400-mile course if necessary.
The fleet must arrive in St Petersburg on Saturday morning in order to clear customs and pass through two bridges, which will be raised specially in order to let the fleet into the historic city. |
|
Delta Lloyd, skippered by Roberto Bermudez
(ESP) at the start of leg 10 from Stockholm to St Petersburg.
Photo © Rick Tomlinson / Volvo Ocean Race.
|
 |
|
|
PUMA has now clinched second place overall, their performance improving hugely in the second half of the race. Telefónica Blue will take third after losing the battle for second when they finished last in leg nine after going aground in Marstrand.
Ericsson 4 is the runaway leader, winning the Volvo Ocean Race with a leg to spare. |
|
Onboard Ericsson 4 on leg 10 from
Stockholm to St Petersburg.
Photo © Guy Salter / Ericsson 4 / Volvo Ocean Race.
|
 |
|
|
Overall Leaderboard
1. Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael / BRA): 110.5 points
2. PUMA (Ken Read / USA): 98.5 points
3. Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking / NED): 92.0 points
4. Ericsson 3 (Magnus Olsson / SWE): 73.5 points
5. Green Dragon (Ian Walker / GBR): 64.0 points
6. Telefónica Black (Fernando Echávarri / ESP): 50.0
7. Delta Lloyd (Roberto Bermúdez / ESP): 39.5 points
8. Team Russia (Andreas Hanakamp / AUT): 10.5 points
Visit www.volvooceanrace.org for
all the latest news! |
|
