Tuesday 23 June 2009

VOR: Hugh Spectator Fleet Turns out for Home Team


In-Port racing in Stockholm. Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/Ericsson Racing Team.

by Victoria Low

Thousands of spectator boats turned out to see the Stockholm In Port Race, which took place on Kanholmsfjärden on Stockholm's outer archipelago in conditions that were better than expected.

A large spectator fleet, estimated at over a thousand craft, turned out on a glorious afternoon, which helped wrap up Sweden's mid-summer holiday weekend.


Race one of the Stockholm In-Port Race. Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/Ericsson Racing Team.

It was a day of mixed results for the home team, Ericsson Racing Team. Ericsson 4, the overall winner of the Volvo Ocean race, placed fourth with two fourth-place finishes. While Ericsson 3, skippered by local skipper Magnus Olsson, took second in the first race, but was late to the start in the second race and wound up fifth.


Ericsson 3 sails back to Stockholm after racing. Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/Ericsson Racing Team.

"It was a fantastic day - a great day to show off the sport of sailing. The races were well organised and it was great to see so many thousands of people on the water!," commented Olsson.


Ericsson 3 during the In-Port Races. Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/Ericsson Racing Team.

"In so far as the racing was concerned, for us the first race was good, we had a great start and then sailed simply and well. However, the second race was a different matter! We were too late to the start line and in these extremely close races, if you do not start well, it is very difficult to get back into the game," he concluded.


Ericsson 4 during the In-Port Races. Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/Ericsson Racing Team.

VOLVO OCEAN RACE LEADERBOARD
(Through Stockholm In-Port Race)
1. Ericsson 4, 110.5 points
2. Puma, 98.5
3. Telefonica Blue, 92
4. Ericsson 3, 73.5
5. Green Dragon, 64
6. Telefonica Black, 50
7. Delta Lloyd, 39.5

Ericsson Racing Team
Volvo Ocean Race

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