Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing claimed an unassailable lead at the top of the Volvo Ocean Race after finishing third in Leg 8 of the race to Lorient.
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The ADOR team, led by Ian Walker, secured their first overall VOR win in dominant fashion, bringing major sailing glory to the UAE for the first time in history.
Elsewhere, skipper Sam Davies and her Team SCA crew struck a resounding blow for women’s offshore sailing by claiming victory of the leg.
The final podium was filled with delighted sailors as Team Vestas Wind remarkably claimed second in their return to the race six months after losing a boat in the Indian Ocean.
In third sat Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing as they secured the title with another fine display.
For the first all-women’s crew to enter the race in 12 years the victory silences critics who suggested that they were looking outclassed by their more experienced male rivals.
Welcome back guys! Incredible atmosphere & special moment for #TeamVestas‘ families & friends #blueisback #VOR pic.twitter.com/qDN9midI2g
— Team Vestas Wind (@TeamVestasWind) June 11, 2015
True, the Swedish entry had yet to win a podium place until now, but the crew has clearly improved leg after leg and many observers felt that a breakthrough performance was just around the corner.
The win was certainly no fluke in an upwind leg that tested seamanship to the full with an often heinous sea state and strong winds virtually throughout.
Team SCA grabbed the 647-nautical mile leg from Lisbon by the scruff of the neck, and strengthened that grip after taking an offshore course while most of their rivals hugged the Spanish and French coast approaching the Bay of Biscay.
It took them 3 days 13 hours 11 minutes and 11 seconds to grab their share of Race history.
“Thanks to everybody for all your support. It’s not really sunk in yet,” said a jubilant Davies. “It probably won’t hit us until we hit the dock and we see there aren’t any other boats there.
“It’s a reward for all the hard work we have done. It’s a great confidence booster. It’s going to be huge for us. We’ve had a mountain to climb to get here.”
Official finish time for @ADORlog 03:05:17 UTC! #VOR pic.twitter.com/RkNcLnC4iZ
— Volvo Ocean Race (@volvooceanrace) June 11, 2015
Team Vestas Wind skipper Chris Nicholson had every reason for the huge smile on his face as he approached the port of Lorient following a near perfect race from Lisbon starting on Sunday.
He had simply hoped that his boat could negotiate the leg without mishap and be competitive – a high podium finish is almost beyond his wildest dreams.
“It’s a very special moment,” the team’s Onboard Reporter, Brian Carlin, simply stated.
Astern of the leading pair, third-placed Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing neared the ultimate prize and are Volvo Ocean Racing champions as long as they avoid penalties from here on out.
They needed simply to finish ahead of their nearest overall pursuers in the standings, Team Brunel and Dongfeng Race Team, with a boat in between, to be all but be sure of winning the 12th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.
Cheerful moments for @team_sca as they celebrate their Leg 8 victory! #VOR pic.twitter.com/rIWsT69azv
— Volvo Ocean Race (@volvooceanrace) June 11, 2015
As Team SCA passed the finish at 02:11 UTC/04:11 local time, that prospect looked very much on with MAPFRE in fourth, Team Brunel fifth, and Team Alvimedica keeping Dongfeng Race Team at bay in the fight for sixth.
The boats will have a short maintenance period before Sunday’s SCA In-Port Race here in Lorient, before the fleet set sail for Gothenburg via a much-awaited pit-stop in The Hague, on Tuesday, June 16.
It promises to be a period of considerable celebration for at least three crews of very happy sailors.
