Thursday 10 May 2012

Puma's Miami victory creates fantastic battle


Puma arrives in Miami escorted by many spectators
Photo: Ian Roman/ Volvo Ocean Race

Now look what you have done Kenny.

You’ve set this race up to be a fantastic close battle between Team Telefónica, Camper, Groupama and Puma.

On Wednesday skipper Kenny Read and his team onboard Puma Ocean Racing held back the constant attacks from Camper to win a second consecutive leg win. 

Unbelievable
Puma crossed the Miami finish line at 14:14 local time, 18:14 UTC, with a lead of around five nautical miles over Camper.

Camper crossed the finish line for second place just over an hour later, at 19:21:25 UTC.

"This is unbelievable," said Read just minutes after crossing the line in the company of about 100 spectator boats.

Offshore legs
"It's great to be back in the United States, actually we've been to Miami before in this boat, so this marks our complete circumnavigation.

With six of nine offshore legs now complete, Telefónica lead with 164 points, followed by Groupama on 153, Camper on 149 and Puma on 147.

With the French team, Groupama, finishing ahead of the Spanish team Telefónica later that day, there are now only 17 points between the top four boats.

Great job
Puma held the lead all the way on the 4,800 nm race from Itajaí, Brazil, apart from a very short period when it looked like Camper would spoil there party.

Kenny Read said: "It was touch and go, the guys on Camper sailed very well, but I couldn't be more proud of our team, they did an unbelievably great job.

"It's been a long leg and PUMA have sailed very nicely, they have defended very well, but I think we have attacked well too.

"I'm pretty happy with how it's gone. We're in better shape now for the next leg."

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