Martin Krite on the bow of Ericsson 3. Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/Ericsson Racing Team.
by Victoria Low
Ericsson Racing Team placed fourth and fifth in today's Galway In-Port Race of the Volvo Ocean Race.
Ericsson 3, skippered by Sweden's Magnus Olsson, placed fourth after finishing second in the second race. Ericsson 4, skippered by Torben Grael of Brazil, placed fifth.
Ericsson Racing Team line up on Galway Bay. Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/Ericsson Racing Team.
The in-port race was well received among the locals, who turned out by the thousands to watch the racing. There was the largest on-water crowd to watch an in-port race, and many more lined vantage points on Salthill, the two-kilometer promenade stretching along Galway Bay. Volvo Ocean Race officials estimated 50,000 people were on hand throughout the day, which began with the dock-out ceremony at race village.
Previous in-port races around the world have been marked by light and shifty winds, and today was no different. The first race started in a southeasterly wind that shifted to the west/northwest as the crews were on the run to the finish. The large shift forced them to change their asymmetric spinnakers to headsails for the finish on the downwind leg.
Ericsson 3 and Ericsson 4 on Galway Bay. Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/Ericsson Racing Team.
Ericsson 3 skipper Olsson envisioned a podium finish today, but fell just shy with finishes of 5-2. Sistership, Ericsson 4 had a tough day. It had good starts in both races and was third at the first mark both times, but was undone in both races on the wrong side of windshifts.
Ericsson 4 retains the overall lead with the score of 94 points and Ericsson 3 holds fourth with 62.5 points.
Ericsson 4 during the InPort race off Galway. Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/Ericsson Racing Team.
Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race, to Marstrand, Sweden, is scheduled to begin next Saturday, June 6, at 1300 local (1200 GMT).
VOLVO OCEAN RACE LEADERBOARD
(After Galway In-Port Race)
1. Ericsson 4, 94 points
2. Telefónica Blue, 81
3. Puma, 80
4. Ericsson 3, 62.5
5. Green Dragon, 53
6. Telefónica Black, 39
7. Delta Lloyd, 31
Ericsson Racing Team
Volvo Ocean Race
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