Team Brunel (Bouwe Bekking\/NED) won an excruciatingly drawn-out Team Vestas Wind In-Port Race Itaja\u00ed in the Volvo Ocean Race on Saturday when a lack of breeze tested the sailors’ patience and seamanship to the full (full story below).<\/p>\n
– Skillful Bekking guides Team Brunel to in-port victory<\/p>\n
– Windless conditions put premium on seamanship in Itaja\u00ed<\/p>\n
– Watch Sunday\u2019s Leg 6 start on our fabulous App<\/p>\n
ITAJA\u00cd, Brazil, April 18 – Team Brunel (Bouwe Bekking\/NED) won an excruciatingly drawn-out Team Vestas Wind In-Port RaceItaja\u00ed in the Volvo Ocean Race on Saturday when a lack of breeze tested the sailors’ patience and seamanship to the full.<\/p>\n
The very hard-earned victory takes the Dutch boat to the top of the in-port race series overall standings on 15 points (see panel above), one point clear of second-placed Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ian Walker\/GBR).<\/p>\n
For so long this morning it was not clear if the packed docks of fans in Itaja\u00ed would even see an in-port race, with wind pressures barely passing three knots.<\/p>\n
Race management postponed the start for 10 minutes before the boats were finally able to cross the start line.<\/p>\n
MAPFRE (Xabi Fern\u00e1ndez\/ESP) were happy simply to be on the racecourse, after their shore team and the race\u2019s Boatyard crew were forced to work all night to reinforce a section of their mast, ensuring the rig was robust enough.<\/p>\n
Team SCA (Sam Davies\/GBR) were the first to show in the shortened, two-lap, four-leg contest as they chased their third win in the in-port series, and second in a row after their success in Auckland.<\/p>\n
They narrowly reached the first gate ahead of overall race and in-port series leaders, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, with the all-female crew and Emirati crew opting for different sides of the course.<\/p>\n
The pair completed lap two virtually neck-and-neck all the way as they desperately sought the little wind pressure Itaja\u00ed was offering on an overcast, but bright early afternoon.<\/p>\n
Slowly but surely, however, the crew of\u00a0Azzam began to eke out an advantage over the women, but then the wind dropped completely and the entire fleet slowed to a virtual standstill.<\/p>\n
Team SCA were rocked by a 360-degree penalty turn for fouling, who suddenly moved from towards the back of the fleet into second place.<\/p>\n
The Dutch, though, then took their turn to feel total frustration as the wind deserted them and instead, Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier\/FRA) claimed the pace.<\/p>\n
With the finish at last in sight, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, Team Brunel and Dongfeng Race Team found themselves virtually in a dead heat for the lead, but still struggling desperately to find pressure.<\/p>\n
Finally, Bouwe Bekking’s men shook off what they must have felt was concrete from their hull to win their first in-port race of the series.<\/p>\n
Azzam then eased past Dongfeng for second with Team SCA pipping MAPFRE for fourth and Team Alvimedica had to settle for sixth.<\/p>\n
Team Vestas Wind In-Port Race Itaja\u00ed results:<\/p>\n
1. Team Brunel 15:31:47 (local finish time) \u2013 1pt<\/p>\n
2. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing 15:33:10 \u2013 2pts<\/p>\n
3. Dongfeng Race Team 15:33:21 \u2013 3pts<\/p>\n
4. Team SCA 15:33:43 \u2013 4pts<\/p>\n
5. MAPFRE 15:34:10 \u2013 5pts<\/p>\n
6. Team Alvimedica 15:35:58 \u2013 6pts<\/p>\n
Team Vestas Wind \u2013 DNS 8pts<\/p>\n
Volvo Ocean Race In-Port Race Series overall standings (after six races of 10):<\/p>\n
1. Team Brunel \u2013 15pts<\/p>\n
2. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing \u2013 16pts<\/p>\n
3. Team SCA \u2013 20pts<\/p>\n
4. Dongfeng Race Team \u2013 21pts<\/p>\n
5. Team Alvimedica \u2013 26pts<\/p>\n
6. MAPFRE \u2013 30pts<\/p>\n
7. Team Vestas Wind \u2013 44 pts<\/p>\n
Race statistics:<\/p>\n
Start time 14:10 local time<\/p>\n
True Wind Speed: 5-6 knots at the start dropped to 3 knots<\/p>\n
True Wind Direction: 090 at the start shifting from 370 to 090 during the race<\/p>\n
Bearing to gate bottom gate: 270 for the first lap move to 050 for 2nd rounding.<\/p>\n
Distance 1nm, 3 laps shortened to 2 laps.<\/p>\n
via Victory in slow-motion | Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Team Brunel (Bouwe Bekking\/NED) won an excruciatingly drawn-out Team Vestas Wind In-Port Race Itaja\u00ed in the Volvo Ocean Race on Saturday when a lack of breeze tested the sailors’ patience and seamanship to the full (full story below). – Skillful … Continue reading