Aussies Shape Up The Competition In Volvo Ocean Race 05-06

Aussies Shape Up The Competition In Volvo Ocean Race 05-06

The Ericsson Racing Team has gotten off to a flying start with victory in the first in-port race of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 in Sanxenxo, Spain, with an Australian "helping hand".

Tom Braidwood, from Sydney, was one of the 11-strong crew that never looked threatened as they completed the 14.4 nautical mile course in just under two hours, three minutes ahead of second-placed boat Brasil 1.

"It was a great day for our boat and our team," said Braidwood, who competed in the Volvo Ocean Race in 2001-2002.

"We spent a lot of time getting the boat ready, not only for short course racing but also for ocean racing. We had good preparation for the in-port race and managed to get the best start of the fleet. This enabled us to meet the new breeze first and get a good lead. After that we could enjoy the rest of the race and feel really comfortable with our manoeuvres.

"Now we just have an ocean to cross next week!"

Braidwood, 33, a diesel maintenance fitter and rigger, has competed in 11 Sydney to Hobart races, two Admiral's Cup and four Kenwood Cups as well as the 1995 America's Cup.

The only female in the Volvo Ocean Race, Australian Adrienne Cahalan plays a key role as navigator aboard Brasil 1, but said it was a "full team effort" holding on to second after a late surge by Spanish team Movistar.

"The Brazilians are pretty happy and they don't mind showing it," Cahalan said.

"We had a few little hiccups last week and we didn't do as much practice as we would have liked.

"But having Torben Grael (the team's Brazilian skipper) on-board and all the Olympic expertise, this is where we hoped we'd shine, so we're happy with second.

"We've got a lot of racing ahead of us, but why not enjoy the good things when they happen."

Disney's entry, Pirates of the Caribbean, with two Australians on board – Justin Clougher and Mark McTeigue – finished third, while the movistar team, including Australians Andrew Cape, Noel Drennan, Chris Nicholson and Peter Doriean, was fourth.

In a surprise result, the inexperienced Team ABN AMRO TWO, with Australians Nick Bice and Luke Molloy on board, beat home the high-profile crew of ABN AMRO ONE.

Australian entry, Premier Challenge, skippered by Grant Wharington, elected to miss the in-port race as the team frantically prepares for the start of the race in Vigo, Spain, after receiving a last-minute rescue package from a mystery sponsor.

With all teams now focussed on the start of leg one to Cape Town, South Africa, on November 12, the Ericsson Racing Team has 3.5 points, Brasil 1 three points, Pirates of the Caribbean 2.5, Movistar Two, ABN AMRO TWO 1.5 and ABN AMRO ONE one point.

The Volvo Ocean Race is due to arrive in Melbourne from January 17 with Waterfront City at Melbourne Docklands hosting the boats and teams during four weekends of celebrations.

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 www.volvooceanrace.org
The Melbourne Stopover www.melbournestopover.com.au