A young American-led team took the opening honours of the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 on Saturday when they claimed a surprise victory in the Alicante in-port race.
Team Alvimedica, skippered by Charlie Enright in his first appearance in offshore sailing's leading crewed competition, completed the 7.8-nautical mile course in 52min 05sec to snatch a six-second advantage over fast-finishing second-placed Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
The Spanish entrants MAPFRE were third a further 25 seconds adrift.
The result does not count for the offshore overall Volvo Ocean Race trophy which begins next week (October 11) with Leg 1 from Alicante to Cape Town. But it does give Enright's men an early lead in the separate in-port series event and a timely shot of confidence that they can compete with more experienced crews in the seven-strong fleet.
Enright of Rhode Island is the second youngest skipper at 30 ever to enter the 41-year-old Volvo Ocean Race, formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race. He had his ambition sparked to launch a campaign seven years ago as an actor on the set of the Disney sailing movie, Morning Light, when he was coached by veterans of the event.
The race will eventually cover 38,739 nautical miles, visiting 11 ports in all and lasting nine months.
It ends on June 27 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Results: 1. Team Alvimedica (Turkey/U.S.) 52.05mins, 2. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing +0:06, 3. MAPFRE (Spain) +0.25, 4. Team Brunel (Neths) +0.46, 5. Dongfeng Race Team (China) +1.19, 6. Team SCA (Sweden) +1.50, 7. Team Vestas Wind (Denmark) +3.25.
