Sport-heute: Sailing - Start in Galway!

06. Juni 2009, 22:38

Start in Galway!

Auf der Sprintetappe von Galway nach Schweden hatte heute Green Dragon einen fantastischen Blitzstart. Es war der verdiente Lohn für die Massen, die an der Pier von Galway standen, als die Boote aufbrachen. Mit Spinnhaker wurde drauflos gesegelt. 20 Knoten Offshore Winde und gutes Wetter machten die ersten Stunden zum Dessert. Ian Walkers Green Dragon überholte schon nach wenigen hundert Metern Telefonica Blue - die Führenden. Das Spiel ändert sich jetzt aber aprupt auf dem 1250 Meilen langen Küstenrennen. Untiefen und Sandbänke sind an der Tagesordnung und es heisst aufzupassen.

Brüttisellen, 6.6.09 (mk) Green Dragon Blazes Out Of Galway In Volvo Ocean Race Leg Eight Start

Hometown boat, Green Dragon, made a fantastic start today as the Volvo Ocean Race fleet left Galway Bay on the 1250 nm sprint leg to Marstrand in Sweden. It was a great reward for the huge crowds of well-wishers, who filled every available space in Galway in order to cheer their home team on.

After a hugely successful stopover – the first time the Volvo Ocean Race has visited Ireland – 20 knots of gusty offshore breeze was on offer today and, in the most wind yet for any of the Volvo leg starts, spinnakers were set for a fast downwind start at 1500 local time (1400 GMT).

The fleet sailed the usual two leg loop of approximately four nautical miles, before setting off through the Aran Islands and down the west coast of Ireland and out into the Celtic Sea towards the Fastnet Rock, which although a mark of the course, is not a scoring gate.

Ian Walker’s Green Dragon revelled in the heavy breeze and flat water, which suited her perfectly and once clear of the start line, she overhauled Telefónica Black doing 19 knots, to take the lead at the first turning mark.

Sailing beautifully, starting in mid-field, Ericsson 4 out-muscled Telefónica Blue and fought off Green Dragon to take the lead after rounding the mark in second place and setting off up the beat towards the windward mark.

At the mark, Ericsson 4 had taken control and hoisted her spinnaker for the second time, followed by Green Dragon who kept the pressure on, Telefonica Blue, PUMA and Telefónica Black. Further back were Ericsson 3 and Delta Lloyd.

Telefónica Blue momentarily lost ground to PUMA when her spinnaker hoisted with a twist in it as the fleet blazed down Galway Bay with an increasing breeze and a building sea state and headed towards the Aran Islands.

Today saw a great display by Ericsson 4, but what a performance by Ian Walker and his men on Green Dragon, ensuring that the hometown crowds had a lot to cheer about, and a terrific battle for third between Telefónica Blue and PUMA.

The game changes now for this largely coastal leg of 1250 nm, full of shipping, tidal gates, shallows and sandbanks. The course takes the fleet south around the UK, up the English Channel and out into the North Sea, where they will race around a loop set off the Hook of Holland before heading to the finish in Marstrand, Sweden on or around 11 June.

Overall Leaderboard
1. Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA): 94.0 points
2. Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/NED): 81.0 points
3. PUMA (Ken Read/USA): 80.0 points
4. Ericsson 3 (Magnus Olsson/SWE): 62.5 points
5. Green Dragon (Ian Walker/GBR): 53.0 points
6. Telefónica Black (Fernando Echávarri/ESP): 39.0
7. Delta Lloyd (Roberto Bermudez/ESP): 31.0 points
8. Team Russia (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT): 10.5 points

Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS
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Green Dragon Leg Eight Day 1 QFB: received 06.06.09 1652 GMT

When I saw the welcome we received on arriving in Galway I was speechless, but when we left two weeks later it was with tears in my eyes.

I knew Galway was a great city and a city that loves to party, but never in my wildest dreams did I think Galway and Ireland would bring so much to the Volvo Ocean Race. I can only say ‘thank you’ from all of us, for such a wonderful two weeks. The harsh reality of the Volvo Ocean Race is that no sooner do we get comfortable and enjoy a town, then it is time to leave. By now we are used to the drill.

It was a spectacular start and thanks to some good crew work we had the thrill of leading at the first mark. I really think downwind starts should be encouraged at every stopover as it allows the spectators to see the boats in all their glory. There were, once again, hundreds of spectator boats and a ‘cup final’ atmosphere on the water.

What fantastic memories we have of Galway Bay and I look forward to returning soon.

Thank you Ireland, thank you Galway.

Ian Walker - skipper

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Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race Green Dragon, skippered by Ian Walker (GBR) at the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand

Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race The fleet blast out of Galway Bay with Ericsson 4 in the lead, at the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand

Sally Collison/PUMA Ocean Racing PUMA Ocean Racing, skippered by Ken Read (USA) at the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand

Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race The fleet blast out of Galway Bay with Ericsson 4 in the lead, at the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand

Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race Green Dragon, skippered by Ian Walker (GBR) at the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand