 McDonald's Ericsson excelled in the light airs off Galicia |
British skipper Neal McDonald and his Ericsson crew won the shortened first in-port race in the 2005-6 Volvo Ocean round-the-world race in Galicia, Spain. Ericsson beat Brasil 1 by two minutes 40 seconds in the light airs with former winner and America's Cup legend Paul Cayard's Pirates 4.10 behind.
Spain's Movistar was pipped at the last mark by Pirates to end the two-hour 14.4 nautical mile race fourth.
The first of nine ocean legs from Vigo to Cape Town begins on 12 November.
"I feel very relieved," said McDonald. "It is nice to know that we have got good boat speed and are clearly one of the fastest boats in those conditions.
"It is a really nice start to win the race and certainly a great way to start the regatta.
"John [Kostecki - tactician] really put us in the right place and that made all the difference to the race."
Dutch team ABN AMRO came fifth with their second boat of young guns but their first boat, skippered by Kiwi Mike Sanderson and with chef Gordon Ramsay aboard, finished sixth.
Australia's Premier Challenge was seventh.
Standings after first in-port race in Galicia, Spain:
1. Ericsson Racing Team elapsed time 01:51:29 3.5 points
2. Brasil 1 01:54:55 , 3 pts
3. Pirates of the Caribbean 01:56:30, 2.5 pts
4. Movistar 01:57:13, 2 pts
5. ABN Amro Two 02:00:07, 1.5 pts
6. ABN Amro One 02:04:11, 1 pt
7. Premier Challenge DNC, 0 pts
MMIX
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