VOR Leg 3: GREEN DRAGON AND KOSATKA TEAM RUSSIA BATTLE TO THE END

by Volvo Ocean Race media

Green Dragon (Ian Walker/GBR) and Kosatka Team Russia (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) have been fighting their own private battle for the minor placings. As the Malacca Straights narrowed, Green Dragon was becalmed with a strong tide against her. As the team struggled to turn the corner, Kosatka reached up from 24-miles behind with good wind, closing to within a mile of the Chinese/Irish boat. Ian Walker managed to hold off the Russian advances and crossed the finish in Singapore tonight at 2249 GMT in sixth place. Kosatka followed shortly after at 0008 GMT.

Ian Walker said, earlier today, “This leg has simply not gone our way and I look with envy at the close racing amongst the top four. It might seem strange, but on balance, I think we have sailed the best on this leg that we have so far in the race, and everyone remains very focused on the task ahead.”

Austrian skipper of Kosatka, Andreas Hanakamp, said:
“For the last 24 hours of the leg, everyone has been working incredibly hard to get in front of Green Dragon and, we got within a mile of them. They had managed to get further inshore than us and picked up the breeze just a few minutes earlier, which gave them valuable miles.

“The leg was a different challenge again, with forecasts unreliable in the light winds. Again, the fleet was close together from start to finish which shows how close the racing is.

“I am happy to get to Singapore, looking forward what they come up with after the great time we had in India. Thanks to my sailing team for the incredible effort they put in right to the finish line.”

Delta Lloyd (Roberto Bermudez/ESP) who is limping with a damaged keel ram, will be the next boat to finish later tomorrow.

Leg Three Finishing Order Singapore
1. Telefónica Blue: 8 points (FINISHED)
2. PUMA : 7 points (FINISHED)
3. Ericsson 3: 6 points (FINISHED)
4. Ericsson 4: 5points (FINISHED)
5. Telefónica Black: 4 points (FINISHED)
6. Green Dragon: 3 points (FINISHED)
7. Kosatka Team Russia: 2 points (FINISHED)

Overall Leaderboard (Subject to Protest)
1. Ericsson 4: 35 points (FINISHED)
2. Telefónica Blue: 30.5 points (FINISHED)
3. PUMA : 27.5 points (FINISHED)
4. Ericsson 3: 23.5 points (FINISHED)
5. Green Dragon: 20.5 points (FINISHED)
6. Telefónica Black: 19.5 points (FINISHED)
7. Team Russia: 10.5 points (FINISHED)
8. Delta Lloyd: 8 points (RACING)

Scoring Gate Order
1. Ericsson 4 (4 points)
2. Telefónica Blue (3.4 points)
3. Ericsson 3 (3 points)
4. PUMA (2.5 points)
5. Telefónica Black (2 points)
6. Green Dragon (1.5 points)
7. Kosatka Team Russia (1 point)
8. Delta Lloyd (0.5 points)

Volvo Ocean Race