13 June 2006
VolvoOceanRace 2005-06 ready to set sail for final time
After an incredible weekend, which saw 100,000 spectators witness the fleets return from leg eight on Saturday and a further 80,000 watch ABN AMRO ONE win the in-port race on Sunday, the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06 is about to set sail for a final time to Göteborg, Sweden.
Although arriving into Rotterdam slightly later than expected, the Volvo Ocean Race received an amazing warm welcome from the city of Rotterdam. Spectators headed out of the River Maas to greet the fleet and those that could not find a place on the boat lined the shoreline along the Maas and flocked to the Veerhaven where the boats docked.
On Sunday night, the teams came together on the banks of the Maas for the leg eight prize giving which saw the presentation of the Waterford Trophies for the top three finishers in the penultimate leg from Portsmouth, England, to Rotterdam. Ericsson was delighted to be on the podium and receive their trophy for third place from the Lord Mayor of Rotterdam Mr Ivo Opstelten.
ABN AMRO ONE received the runner-up leg prize after finishing just three minutes and ten seconds behind Brasil 1, who were jubilant to be collecting their first place Waterford Trophy and to have produced their best result so far in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06.
The only other award that was presented that evening was the Volvo Ocean Race Media Award, which for the second time during the race did not go to a sailing team member. Camilla Green, the press officer for TEAM ABN AMRO was the deserved winner of the one thousand dollar cheque and was the one projected into the spot light for the evening – a position that she would normally ensure TEAM ABN AMRO occupied.
In between the hard work indextaining and servicing the Volvo Open 70’s to guarantee that they are in the best possible shape for the final leg, World Cup fever has hit the Volvo Ocean Race Village.
Today saw the sailors go head to head in a penalty shoot-out in the Volvo Ocean Race Village in the Veerhaven. The teams, which were made up from sailors representing Australia, Brazil, England, France, The Netherlands and Spain, transferred their competitive streak from the water to dry land. ABN AMRO ONE bowman Justin Slattery got the short straw and as a neutral player coming from Ireland, took up the role of goalkeeper.
In the end the final showdown was between Australia represented by Anthony Merrington (Pirates of the Caribbean), Ian Walker (Ericsson) and Richard Mason (Ericsson) and England which comprised of Jules Salter (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Simon Fisher (ABN AMRO TWO). In the end Australia came through to beat England and was declared the Volvo Ocean Race World Cup Winners.
The crews now have just one day to prepare before they head out of Rotterdam on Thursday to compete in the final leg to Göteborg, Sweden. The 400 nautical mile leg will commence at 13:00 (local) from the mouth of the river Maas.
With light winds predicted, the fleet are expected to arrive into Göteborg Saturday afternoon.
Current LeaderboardY
[position/team name/skipper/race points to date]
1st ABN AMRO ONE, Mike Sanderson (NZL) 94.0 pts
2nd Pirates of the Caribbean, Paul Cayard (USA) 66.0 pts
3rd Brasil 1, Torben Grael (BRA) 62.0 pts
4th ABN AMRO TWO, Sebastien Josse (FRA) 52.5 pts
5th Ericsson Racing Team, Neal McDonald (GBR) 52.0 pts
6th movistar, Bouwe Bekking (NED) 48.0 pts
7th Brunel, Grant Wharington (AUS) 11.5 pts
For media enquiries please contact:
Sacha Oswald, Press Officer in Rotterdam
t. +31 618 092 201 e. sacha.oswald@volvooceanrace.org mailto:sacha.oswald@volvooceanrace.org
Sophie LutherPress Assistant at race headquarters
Mob: +44 7956 285548 email: sophie.luther@volvooceanrace.org mailto:sophie.luther@volvooceanrace.org
Images
Royalty free images for editorial use are available from the Image Archive at http://media.vemuk.com http://media.vemuk.com/. For assistance, please contact: Picture Desk Manager Tel: Mobile: +44 7801 185 320 Email: images@volvooceanrace.org mailto:images@volvooceanrace.org
The Volvo Ocean Race
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