VOR: PUMA Ready for In-port Race in Qingdao

New boom has arrived in China


PUMA's shiny new boom. Image copyright Sally Collison/PUMA Ocean Racing.

by Kate Fairclough

PUMA today confirmed that they are ready for the Qingdao In Port Race this Saturday, February 7th. Whilst other boats in the fleet are fighting to keep themselves in the race, the PUMA Ocean Racing shore crew has worked day and night to ensure PUMA is ready for the third In Port weekend of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. Complete with new boom and all structural damage repaired, PUMA’s il mostro was today the first boat to be lifted back into the water and will be on the start line in Fushan Bay, Qingdao, China at 1300 local/0500 GMT/0000 EST on Saturday.


The new boom arrives in Qingdao. Image copyright Sally Collison/PUMA Ocean Racing.

Four boats are expected to compete in the In-Port race this weekend; PUMA, Green Dragon, Telefonica Blue and Ericsson 4, all of whom completed leg four of the race and are currently based in Qingdao. In Port racing is comprised of two short 50 minute races, which are designed to show off these incredible racing machines to spectators both on the water and lining the shores of the race village. Both races count for points towards the team’s overall score in the epic nine-month 37,000 mile round the world race. With up to four points to be earned by Saturday’s winner, the In Port racing is set to pull these four boats well ahead of the remainder of the fleet in the overall race standings.


Unloading the new boom in China. Image copyright Sally Collison/PUMA Ocean Racing.

Sailing onboard il mostro for the In Port race will be PUMA’s Ocean Racing team of Ken Read, Skipper; Andrew Cape, Navigator; Justin Ferris, Trimmer; Sidney Gavignet, Trimmer; Jerry Kirby, Bowman; Rob Greenhalgh, Main; Michi Mueller, Grinder/Sewer; Erle Williams, Tactician; Rob Salthouse, Pit; Casey Smith, Bowman; Shannon Falcone, Trimmer/Pit and Joe Fanelli, Grinder. Rick Deppe, PUMA’s Media Specialist will also be onboard providing a live video stream straight from the boat, which can be viewed at www.volvooceanrace.tv in real time on race day.


The new boom is taken out of its packaging. Image copyright Sally Collison/PUMA Ocean Racing.

Skipper Ken Read commented: “This was always going to be a tough stopover for us, with really only a week between the leg finish and the In Port race. After the extremely tough leg we just had here from Singapore, it’s been even harder to get ourselves ready for this weekend. As average temperatures here in Qingdao have been below five degrees, it’s a tough place to work on a boat. But, as always, our shore team have performed miracles. Our new boom arrived on Tuesday, our boat builders have been working hard to clean up a few things inside the boat, we were lifted into the water today [Wednesday] and even hope to get out for a training sail tomorrow and Friday. We’re ramped up and ready to go.”

PUMA Ocean Racing