PUMA docked at Fan Pier, Boston. Image copyright Sally Collison/PUMA Ocean Racing.
by Kate Fairclough
The PUMA Ocean Racing team will line up with the six other Volvo Ocean Race entrants for the start of Leg seven from Boston, USA to Galway, Ireland at 13:00 local (17:00 GMT) this Saturday. Starting from a line just off Fan Pier, Boston, the fleet will put on a show for spectators when they race a short course round the harbour before turning east to begin the 2,550 nautical mile leg across the Atlantic Ocean. Typically a cold, wet and physically intense leg, the PUMA Ocean Racing team is fighting for every last point available. Currently in third place overall with four legs remaining in this 37,000 mile round the world adventure, there is still opportunity for the PUMA team to take glory in the Volvo Ocean Race.
Having enjoyed three weeks in Boston, dubbed the PUMA team’s ‘home’ due to their links with the North American city, the team feel well-prepared for the eight to ten day dash back across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe, where the race began almost eight months ago. During the transatlantic leg the fleet will avoid icebergs located to the southeast of Newfoundland, and will cross both the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream en route. The weather outlook for the leg is mixed, with uncomfortable living conditions onboard. PUMA’s il mostro has remained in the water since last weekend’s in port race, and the team have spent the past week loading for the offshore leg. Shannon Falcone (ANT) remains onboard PUMA this leg, as Jerry Kirby (USA) stays at home to be with his wife, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Sidney Gavignet (FRA) will also take a break during this leg, and Craig Satterthwaite (NZL) steps onboard as a trimmer/driver.
Skipper Ken Read (USA) commented: “This next leg, from Boston to Galway, Ireland is one that should not be taken lightly. There is the potential for us to be close to ice again and the conditions you can see out there can be pretty brutal. Racing across the North Atlantic in spring should be treated with all of the respect it deserves.”
“For PUMA, it’s time for us to turn this thing around. With four legs left in the race, it’s no secret that we need to fight for every point even harder than ever, before this race is mathematically over for us. We’ve always said we’re here to win, and we won’t stop trying until it’s no longer possible. I am very proud of our team – the whole team, the crew of il mostro as well as our shore team and back room team – for sticking together through the tough parts of this competition. This leg we have a couple of changes within our team, with Jerry Kirby unable to sail this leg with us and Sidney Gavignet taking a break for the leg. Craig Satterthwaite steps onboard from our ‘bench’ which will help to keep our team fresh. Our boat’s in great shape. I have confidence in the team, and the team has confidence in each other.”
PUMA Ocean Racing Crew List, Leg Seven, Boston - Galway
Ken Read (USA) Skipper
Andrew Cape (AUS) Navigator
Rick Deppe (GBR) Media Crew Member
Robert Greenhalgh (GBR) Watch Captain
Erle Williams (NZL) Watch Captain
Justin Ferris (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Rob Salthouse (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Craig Satterthwaite (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Shannon Falcone (ANT) Trimmer/Pit
Casey Smith (AUS) Bowman
Michael Müller (GER) Bowman
PUMA Ocean Racing
Volvo Ocean Race
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