VOR: PUMA - That was too close...

PUMA in the lead at the start of leg 10. Image copyright Rick Deppe/PUMA Ocean Racing.

by Rick Deppe

The start for Puma couldn't have been better, il mostro led from the gun and extended almost immediately after rounding the inshore "sausage" and last mark before heading out to sea.

Reaching starts are always fun as they come with the danger of coming in too fast and being over. Jerry Kirby, back on the team for the last leg was on the bow and he had a few anxious moments as he slowed Kenny (Ken Read) down in the final few boat lengths before the start line. His quote walking back from the bow, 'that was too close!'.

Kenny gave a pep talk before the race, he told us that treating this like any other leg of the race was our best strategy and to not get sidetracked by the points issue and the re-emergence of Team Russia, who we just found out are not actually in the race. The guys are pumped and looking forward to the leg and the finish in a few days.

PUMA Ocean Racing
Volvo Ocean Race