The fleet blast out of Galway Bay with Ericsson 4 leading Telefonica Blue and PUMA, at the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. Image copyright Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race.
by Kate Fairclough
The PUMA Ocean Racing team stormed out of Galway Bay in third place this afternoon, at the start of leg eight of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. Racing in 20 knots of wind, the seven boat fleet powered round a short course in the Bay in front of thousands of spectators after a nail-bitingly close start. Heading west out into the Atlantic Ocean en route to Marstrand, Sweden 1,200 miles away, the Volvo Ocean Race fleet has a tricky five day leg ahead of them.
The PUMA team were sad to say an emotional farewell to the city of Galway, who has welcomed the team with open arms. The people of Galway took the Volvo Ocean Race to their hearts, and eight months into the 37,000 mile round the world race, the festival city will be remembered by many as one of their favourite stopovers of the race to date.
Skipper Ken Read (USA) commented on the dock this morning: “We would just like to thank all of Galway, you guys are the best. This has been one of the best stopovers we have ever had. All of Ireland has been so supportive, thank you so much. The enthusiasm of this place is overwhelming. It’s been a dream trip for the PUMA team.”
“We’re not going to get much sleep in the next four or five days, it’s going to be full on. This is going to be fun racing. It will be good to get back into coastal sailing again, which is very different to ocean racing. We have to adapt to this different style, and I think the crew’s ready for that. There are a lot of traps out there – tidal traps as well as weather traps. As always, the best boat will win.”
“Finishing the last leg into Galway in second place after breaking one of our rudders was a testimony to the boat itself and the crew. Winning the In Port race last weekend – our first big win – was fantastic, and then on Sunday we won all three Pro-Am races as well. The PUMA program is in a good spot right now, there’s a great vibe here. We just have to keep this momentum going. It’s kinda emotional for all of us, seeing how revved up this place is; the last two weeks have been great. We’re very sad to leave.”
Leg eight of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 is expected to take five days to complete, with the fleet estimated to arrive in Marstrand, Sweden on Wednesday 10th June.
PUMA Ocean Racing
Volvo Ocean Race
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