Telefónica Blue dominates in Boston
Pictures of the weekend's action in the Volvo Ocean Race
Telefónica Blue won both in-port races at the latest Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Boston on Saturday afternoon, pushing them closer to leader Ericsson 4 in the overall standings.
Telefónica Blue wins in Boston – picture gallery
The team, led by Iker Martinez with Bouwe Bekking calling tactics, led from pole to pole in both the races held at Fan Pier, in the US state.
The first race was postponed for forty minutes in very light conditions before a weak sea breeze developed. Green Dragon and Ericsson 4 raced off the start line at the pin but by the top mark Telefónica Blue and Delta Lloyd had used the right side of the course to their advantage to lead the fleet.
In the short delay between races, cloud and thin fog enveloped the race course, killing the sea breeze, but bringing a stronger gradient wind. Racing started in 10-12 knots. There was plenty of action on the start line for race two with Telefónica Blue appearing to be danger of starting early. But Iker Martinez was able to luff up, slow down, and earn some precious room between himself and the pin mark.
PUMA and both Ericsson boats were unable to scrub off enough speed and were called out for being over the line early. They each had to return and re-start, giving Telefónica Blue an early advantage which was then never threatened.
In the short delay between races, cloud and thin fog enveloped the race course, killing the sea breeze, but bringing a stronger gradient wind. Racing started in 10-12 knots.
On the overall leaderboard, Telefónica Blue creeps half a point closer to Ericsson 4, but more importantly opens up some margin over PUMA in the battle for second place.
The next in-port race day is in Galway on 30 May. But to get there, the fleet will race from Boston beginning next Saturday, 16 May.
Race One Boston In-Port Race Finish Position
1. Telefonica Blue
2. Delta Lloyd
3. Ericsson 4
4. PUMA
5. Telefonica Black
6. Ericsson 3
7. Green Dragon
Race Two Boston In-Port Race Finish Position
1. Telefonica Blue
2. Ericsson 4
3. Ericsson 3
4. Telefonica Black
5. PUMA
6. Delta Lloyd
7. Green Dragon
Boston In-Port Race Results (Provisional)
1. Telefonica Blue: 4 points
2. Ericsson 4: 3.5 points
3. Delta Lloyd: 3 points
4. Ericsson 3: 2.5 points
5. Telefonica Black 2.0 points
6. PUMA: 1.5 points
7. Green Dragon 1.0 points
Overall Leaderboard
1. Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA): 81 points
2. Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/NED): 68.5 points
3. PUMA (Ken Read/USA): 65.5 points
4. Ericsson 3 (Magnus Olsson/SWE): 55.5 points
5. Green Dragon (Ian Walker/GBR): 45.0 points
6. Telefónica Black (Fernando Echávarri/ESP): 31.0 points
7. Delta Lloyd (Roberto Bermudez/ESP): 24.0 points
8. Team Russia (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT): 10.5 points