PUMA produced a commanding performance in the final battle of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 to win the Discover Ireland In-Port Race and take the honours in the inshore series.
While Groupama sailing team were celebrating overall victory in the eight-month round-the-world race, they were denied what would have been a unique double as PUMA held on for the win they needed to win the inshore series.
PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG, wearing Ireland rugby shirts, scored six points for the win, taking their in-port total to 45 points and breaking their tie with CAMPER at the top of the inshore rankings.
CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand finished second to place second in the 10-race series with 44. Telefónica finished third, followed by Groupama, who finished third in the inshore series.
CAMPER were first off the downwind start-line as the fleet split in two, with PUMA, Sanya and Groupama opting for a course on the port side of the Galway Bay.
Their lead was short lived as the north-northeast wind gusted stronger at about 12 knots on the port side of the course, with PUMA leading around the first mark.
Overall race winners Groupama were just 10 seconds behind in second place followed by CAMPER, Sanya, Telefónica and Abu Dhabi, who were forced to make a penalty turn for failing to keep clear of Sanya on the opening leg.
Groupama overshot the second mark to allow CAMPER to gain a position and jump to second place behind PUMA. Sanya held fourth, just ahead of Telefónica and Abu Dhabi.
Thousands of spectators on board hundreds of boats watched on as the fleet tussled for the final time on the 8.2 nautical mile inshore course. They weren’t disappointed as Groupama clawed back CAMPER to claim second place at the fifth mark.
PUMA continued to power and proved unbeatable, while Groupama and Groupama fought tooth and nail to the end.
Crédit : I Roman / Volvo Ocean Race
While Groupama sailing team were celebrating overall victory in the eight-month round-the-world race, they were denied what would have been a unique double as PUMA held on for the win they needed to win the inshore series.
PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG, wearing Ireland rugby shirts, scored six points for the win, taking their in-port total to 45 points and breaking their tie with CAMPER at the top of the inshore rankings.
CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand finished second to place second in the 10-race series with 44. Telefónica finished third, followed by Groupama, who finished third in the inshore series.
CAMPER were first off the downwind start-line as the fleet split in two, with PUMA, Sanya and Groupama opting for a course on the port side of the Galway Bay.
Their lead was short lived as the north-northeast wind gusted stronger at about 12 knots on the port side of the course, with PUMA leading around the first mark.
Overall race winners Groupama were just 10 seconds behind in second place followed by CAMPER, Sanya, Telefónica and Abu Dhabi, who were forced to make a penalty turn for failing to keep clear of Sanya on the opening leg.
Groupama overshot the second mark to allow CAMPER to gain a position and jump to second place behind PUMA. Sanya held fourth, just ahead of Telefónica and Abu Dhabi.
Thousands of spectators on board hundreds of boats watched on as the fleet tussled for the final time on the 8.2 nautical mile inshore course. They weren’t disappointed as Groupama clawed back CAMPER to claim second place at the fifth mark.
PUMA continued to power and proved unbeatable, while Groupama and Groupama fought tooth and nail to the end.
IN PORT RACE GALWAY
1st Puma
2nd Camper
3rd Telefonica
4th Groupama
5th Abu Dhabi
6th Team Sanya
OVERALL IN PORT RACE SERIES RESULTS
1st Puma 45 pts
2nd Camper 44 pts
3rd Groupama 41 pts
4th Abu Dhabi 37 pts
5th Telefonica 27 pts
6th Team Sanya 16 pts
from Volvo Ocean Race
