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With the added incentive of being both the local Slovenian team and holder of the 2016 and 2017 RC44 season championship titles, it came as little surprise that Igor Lah’s Team CEEREF came out on top after day one of the RC44 Portorož Cup.

The morning started with an unpromising forecast and the flags barely flickering in Marina Portorož. However after a delay of just 30 minutes, a west northwesterly wind filled in ultimately enabling PRO Peter Reggio to buck the odds and successfully complete three races on Piran Bay.

Despite Hugues Lepic’s Aleph Racing leading at the top mark in the first two races, it was Lah’s crew that lay down an early marker to win race one, while in race two it was the turn of Vladimir Prosikhin’s Team Nika. This latter result made up for a last place finish in race one when they had suffered a problem with a badly knotted spinnaker sheet.

With the wind peaking at around eight knots, conditions finally started to go flukey in the third and final race of the day. In this Chris Bake’s Team Aqua led from start to finish.

Generally it was a high scoring day across the fleet with both Teams Nika and Aqua scoring first and last placed finishes and only Team CEEREF managed anything close to consistently good results.

Similarly light conditions are forecast for tomorrow when racing is due to resume at 1200 CET.

It has been a weekend of light sea breeze in the bay of Piran, but still the Melges 24 fleet, composed  of twenty-five boats from eleven countries, managed to complete a whole series of scheduled nine races. 

The fight for the podium has been tough until the very last race as the top teams were all tied in a bunch of points. With partial scores of 6.,3.,2. the American entry War Canoe of Mike Goldfarb managed to preserve the overall lead and take the regatta win.

“We are extremely happy with this result. We have been training a while in the USA with the events of Miami and Charleston before coming here. We plan a very busy season with the Melges 24 that is going to include both the Worlds in Victoria, Canada and the Europeans in Riva del Garda, Italy. For this reason it was essential to start measuring ourselves with the European fleet, to start knowing the teams and to perform well on Garda Lake. We will meet again in Torbole," said Mike Goldfarb, owner and driver of War Canoe. Aboard the American boat in Portoroz were also Morten Henriksen, Mark Strube and David Brink.

Estonian team Lenny seemingly put itself out of contention when finishing 18th in the penultimate race. But then they charged back to third place in the last race only to fall three points short of the top spot.

“We are actually surprised with this result, we hadn’t been sailing since the Worlds in Helsinki last year and we have also some new members in the crew. Beginning with such a success is unbelievable," commented Tõnu Tõniste, helmsman of Lenny.

“We will be competing in five events in total in 2018 and our top event will be the Europeans on Garda Lake. Before that, we will have some training on Garda, especially with the event of Torbole, to start testing the race course and measuring with the fleet. The Europeans will be an awesome event!" The crew of Lenny included also Ants Haavel, Tammo Otsasoo, Kristen Pugi and Maiki Saaring.

Bronze medal went to the reigning World Champions on board of Gian Luca Perego’s Maidollis, very consistent all through the series but penalized by a black flag disqualification on Saturday. The top five is completed by Taki 4 with Niccolo Bertola in helm and FGF Sailing Team in charge by Robert Bakoczy.

YC Marina Portorož, Melges 24

It was a familiar sight on Sunday afternoon in Itajaí, where the two red boats at the top of the Volvo Ocean Race leaderboard set the pace at the start of Leg 8 to Newport, Rhode Island on the east coast of the United States. MAPFRE, in second place overall, led throughout the inshore portion of the leg start, with overall race leader Dongfeng Race Team giving chase just boatlengths behind. Team Brunel and Turn the Tide on Plastic were up amongst the leaders as well, pushing the frontrunners as they headed out to sea for the 5,700 nautical mile leg north.

Team AkzoNobel held down fifth place out of Itajaí while Team SHK/Scallywag and Vestas 11th Hour Racing were close to 3-minutes behind the leader at the final inshore gate. The Scallywag team was sporting a new logo on both boat and uniform honouring their lost teammate John Fisher. The forecast is for generally light winds, making for tricky conditions to start Leg 8. The fleet is likely to push out to the east to get further offshore before making a turn to the north.

After falling behind Dongfeng Race Team by one point on the leaderboard, MAPFRE skipper Xabi Fernández says his team needs to battle hard to regain the lead.

“We need to step up again and use all our strength to try to win this leg,” he said.

His counterpart on Dongfeng Race Team, Charles Caudrelier says the leg is complicated with tradewind sailing as well as a fourth and final doldrums crossing for the race.

“It’s a nice leg. We have to cross the doldrums again, but it should be in the easy part, further to the west, which is good,” said Caudrelier. Then, it’s the Newport stopover, which is popular with the sailors, as the town is renowned as a sailing mecca.

“I love Newport,” said Team Brunel’s Bouwe Bekking. “It’s a sailing destination, with so much heritage with the America’s Cup there for so many years and of course all the locals know what our race is about. It’s one of the best stopovers.” As the teams left Itajaí, Brazil, they were seen off by a large, enthusiastic crowd dockside as well as a generous spectator fleet on the water for the leg start.

Over the course of the Itajaí stopover nearly 450,000 fans visited the Race Village.

Leg 8 start - Itajai

Photo:  Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

The fleet for the 21st Match Race Germany on Lake Constance is complete. Twelve international top teams will compete over Pentecost  from 16 to 21 May in front of Langenargen at the Grand Prix of Germany. The field is led by defending champion Eric Monnin and his Albert Riele Swiss Team. With 12-time ice-sailing world champion and former America's Cup helmsman Karol Jablonski and his Jablonski Racing Team, one of the most furious dueling sailors is entering the four-nations region. Young savages like the only 23-year-old Dutchman Jelmer van Beek want to challenge the stars of the scene and set their course for Germany's most famous match race.

The twelve teams will represent nine countries this year. The five to six-member crews are at home in France, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Russia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Germany. Helmsman Max Gurgel and his team from the Hamburger Alster start under German flag. Not so far from Langenargen is Eric Monnin´s club, the Segel Club Stäfa. The 42-year-old defending champion not only won the jubilee edition of Match Race Germany 2017, but was also second in the classic Bermuda Gold Cup. The helmsman, team player and boat designer from Lake Zurich says: "In addition to the usual good reasons, this year's title defense also serves as motivation. That is our goal, if not an easy one. As always, we hope for a good wind, but we are prepared for all conditions. "

"I LOVE THIS ATMOSPHERE!"

And commenting on the most difficult opponents to bet he added: "Always counting on Karol Jablonski and his Jablonski Racing Team". The 56-year-old German Pole starts for the Bavarian Yacht Club and just a few weeks ago raced to his record twelfth World Champion title. In sailing the DN ice yacht Jablonski has been king for almost two decades. And in the dueling sport match racing, he is not only one of the greats of his guild since his legendary America's Cup start for the Spanish team Desafío Espanõl and the fact that he reached the Cup semi-finals back in 2007. The match-world champion from Olsztyn is regarded as a vigorous attacker and inspires the fans regularly with his interpretation of the dueling sail art. Jablonski is looking forward to race in front of a large audience in Langenargen: "I love this special atmosphere at Match Race Germany!" Up to 30,000 spectators thrill every year on the shores and on the water togthert with the sailors - so many fans are hardly ato be found and matched at any matchrace Regatta worldwide.

TEAM DUTCH WAVE UP

One of the youngest starters also sees it that way. Jelmer van Beek from the Groningen Yacht Club said before his premiere on Lake Constance: "We start at Match Race Germany, because it is currently the biggest match race on monohulls in the world." The Dutch team Dutch Wave could not only win the 2017 national match race championship , but had also prevailed in the International German Match Race Championship (Qualifier for Match Race Germany) and quickly rose to the top 25 in the matchrace world ranking. The quintet has prepared well for the engagement in front of the dream scene in Langenargen: "We have studied many videos from the past years and expect light winds and sunshine." Jelmer van der Beek is aiming at a professional career in sailing, says: "to be able to compete at events like Match Race Germany is a really important step for our entire team. "As a goal, the boys have set themselves to reach the quarter-final round. "Everything is possible from then on," says van Beek, "because that's match racing!"

THE SKIPPERS AT MATCH RACE GERMANY 2018

• Eric Monnin (Switzerland)
• Maxime Mesnil (France)
• Patryk Zbroja (Poland)
• Max Trippolt (Austria)
• Dejan Presen (Slowenia)
• Vladimir Lipavski (Russia)
• Jelmer van Beek (Netherlands)
• Lukasz Wosinski (Poland)
• Szymon Jablkowski (Poland)
• Max Gurgel (Hamburg/Germany)
• Karol Jablonski (Poland/Germany)
• Alfonso Leijte (Portugal)

7 weeks to Go

At the organizers of Match Race Germany, preparations for one of the biggest sporting events in the Lake Constance region are already in full swing. The heartbeat chamber of the organizing team is Match Center Germany locted in the Gondelhafen in Langenargen. Together with the hosting Yacht Club Langenargen and its internationally experienced race director Rudi Magg, the entire team of around 100 volunteers, directed by event director Harald Thierer and sports director Eberhard Magg, are preparing for the popular long Whitsun Pentecost weekend. In front of the picturesque backdrop of the Montfort Castle, guests in the regatta village can enjoy a lot of infotainment, family entertainment, Swabian delicacies, evening top concerts with free admission and a seat in the first row on the lake shores.

MATCH RACE SUPER LEAGUE STARTED SEASON 2

In Brazil and on Lake Maggiore, the starting guns for the 2018 season of the international Match Race Super League have meanwhile fallen. The South American classic 6.Porto Alegre Match Cup won by the Brazilian Navy team with helmsman Geison Mendes in front of the crews around his compatriots Victor Demaison and Philipp Grochtmann. Switzerland's Grand Prix :Matchrace Switzerland, was won by the Geneva Match Race team, headed by helmsman Nelson Mettraux, ahead of the Austrian team Trippolt and Eric Monnin's Albert Riele Swiss Team (Both also competing in Langenargen). With 25 points each Nelson Mettraux and Geison Mendes have taken over the lead of the Match Race Super League at the season opener.

Match Race Super League 2018 Schedule

1. Porto Alegre Match Cup (BRA), 23. - 25.03.2018
2. Match Race Switzerland (SUI) 22. - 25.03.2018
3. Szczecin Polish Match Tour (POL), 28.04 - 01.05.2018
4. Match Race Germany (GER), 16. - 21.05.2018
5. NJK Open Spring Cup (FIN), 24. - 27.05.2018
6. Porto Montenegro Match Race (MNE), 01. - 03.06.2018
7. Portugese Open (POR), 15. - 17.06.2018
8. Internationaux de France (FRA), 26. - 29.07.2018
9. Argentina Match Race tba. (ARG), July 2018
10. Poland Match Race tba. (POL), August 2018
11. EUROSAF Match Racing Europeans (EST), 08. - 12.08.2018
12. New Caledonia Match Race tba. (NCL), August 2018
13. Oakcliff International (USA), 05. - 09.09.2018
14. Thompson Cup (USA), 11. - 15.09.2018
15. Marina Bay Cup (SIN), 13. - 16.09.2018
16. New Zealand Match Race tba, (NZL), December 2018
17. The Kingdom Match Race (BHR), 13. - 17.12.2018
18. Chile Match Race tba. (CHL), December 2018

Vir: Match Race Germany, Foto; FB Lumba Match Race

Search and Rescue operation continues for Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag sailor

Race Control for the Volvo Ocean Race has been informed by Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag of a man overboard incident on Monday afternoon at approximately 13:42 UTC

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) is continuing to lead efforts to recover Volvo Ocean Race sailor John Fisher (UK), who was reported overboard off Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag early on Monday afternoon UTC.

The Scallywag team, assisted by the MRCC, conducted an exhaustive search and rescue operation in an effort to recover Fisher, who was on watch and wearing appropriate survival gear when he went overboard. The remaining crew are reported safe.

The wind in the area at the time was a strong 35-knot westerly, with accompanying sea state. Water temperature was 9-degrees Celsius. There is still daylight, but weather conditions are forecast to deteriorate in the coming hours, and darkness will come at approximately 01:20 UTC.

The MRCC has already requested a ship, nearly 400 nautical miles away, divert to the scene. The MRCC continues in attempts to contact other ships that may be able to assist.

The weather in the area is forecast to deteriorate significantly in the coming hours. Given the severity of the forecast and with nightfall an hour away, we acknowledge the chances of a successful recovery are diminishing.

SHK/Scallywag has thus made the difficult decision to turn downwind and head towards the South American coast, the nearest safe landfall, approximately 1,200 nautical miles away.

We will have more information as it becomes available.

UPDATE 1855 UTC

Man overboard on Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag

Race Control for the Volvo Ocean Race has been informed by Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag of a man overboard incident on Monday afternoon at approximately 13:42 UTC.

The team, along with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), has been conducting a search and rescue operation to recover the missing crew member, John Fisher (UK), who was wearing survival equipment when he went overboard. The remaining crew are reported safe.

The incident took place approximately 1,400 miles west of Cape Horn. The wind in the search area is a strong 35-knot westerly, with accompanying sea state. Water temperature is 9-degrees Celsius. There is daylight, but weather conditions are forecast to deteriorate in the coming hours.

Given the gale force conditions it is not an option to divert any of the other six Volvo Ocean Race competitors, who are at least 200 miles further east and downwind of Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, to assist in the search operation.

The MRCC has identified a ship approximately 400 nautical miles away and it has been diverted to the scene.

Naturally we are deeply concerned, especially given the weather conditions, and Race Control in Alicante is supporting the Scallywag team and MRCC throughout the operation.

We will have more information as it becomes available. The Volvo Ocean Race is a 45,000 nautical mile race around the world. The teams are currently on Day 9 of Leg 7, a 7,600-mile race from Auckland, New Zealand to Itajaí, Brazil.

Foto:  Volvo Ocean Race

On March 15th the presentation “Spring on Lošinj in the sign of cycling” was held in Makalonca caffe on the river Ljubljanica. The rich heritage of the Lošinj island was presented with an emphasis on the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Mountain Bike World Cup Lošinj.

In the special atmosphere of the cafe Makalonca, on the river Ljubljanica, after the welcome speech of Metka Bradetić, the director of the Croatian Tourist Board in Slovenia and Urša Poznić Goršek, the director of Trbovlje municipality, the director of the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board Dalibor Cvitković and the representative of MTB Trbovlje Sebastjan Zmrzljak (the main organizer of Mercedes-Benz Mountain Bike World Cup Lošinj) presented the tourist offer of the Island of vitality and the upcoming world cycling competition. Valentina Muškardin from Lošinj Hotels & Villas and Barbara Božić, representative of the company “Lošinjska plovba in turizem” also joined the presentation.

Thanks to the excellent cooperation between Slovenian MTB Trbovlje, the town of Mali Lošinj and the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board, the unique extreme cycling race Mountain Bike World Cup Lošinj will take place in Lošinj from April 19th to 22nd, 2018.

About three hundred competitors from all over the world will take part in extreme cycling race. This is the first example of a World Cup competition in the urban areas of Veli Lošinj with the finish line on the coast. Director of the organization of the Mercedes-Benz Mountain Bike World Cup of Lošinj and member of the MTB Trbovlje – Sebastjan Zmrzljak showed his satisfaction with the cooperation of the Slovene MTB Trbovlje and the Croatian club AK Lošinj. He stated that the World Cup will surely be something special for Lošinj and for competitors, given the extremely technically demanding route. According to the information so far, a large number of Slovenian competitors is expected. The biggest websites that represent cycling are interested in announcing this event due to the uniqueness of the race and the very end of the track, which is for some controversial because it is located on the cape, which will happen for the first time in the World Cup. On these tracks have already trained the world champions Loic Bruni and Miranda Miller.

In addition to the interesting leisure offer, Lošinj has also a rich maritime heritage, which is presented throughout the year in museums and festivals. Lošinj was the only place on the eastern Adriatic where the sailing boats were specially designed for regattas and were also used for excursions and fishing. From these pasaras, a national class of L-5 sailing boats was created, which was designed by Anton Martinolić from Lošinj. On the basis of the old photographs that showed the regattas of pasara boats in the bay of Mali Lošinj and according to the original plans, two Lošinj racing pasara boats were created. Therefore, within the framework of the presentation, the famous Lošinj pasara sailed up the Ljubljanica and invited all the viewers to the Lošinj maritime world.

Visitors also had the opportunity to taste Lošinj delicacies in the performance of top chefs Melkior Bašić and Zlatko Belužić and the sommelier Kristijan Meraskamija. Band Čikat from Lošinj entertained guests with their special music performance.

The director of the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board, Dalibor Cvitković, emphasized the excellent cooperation of the Croatian Tourist Board in Slovenia and the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board. For many years Slovenian guests have been the loyal visitors to the island of Lošinj. They are especially important in the period before and after the season, when, thanks to the offer, they are the most numerous guests in Lošinj. The Slovenian share in overnight stays is 26%, while in the previous year the number of overnight stays and arrivals of Slovenian guests increased.

The presentation was prepared in cooperation with the town of Mali Lošinj, the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board, the Croatian Tourist Board in Slovenia, the companies Lošinj Hotels & Villas, MTB Trbovlje and the Athletic Club Lošinj.

It was a spectacular start to Leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race on Sunday afternoon, as the fleet left Auckland in perfect conditions. The sun was out, the wind was near 20 knots, and as they have for 10 stopovers, the Auckland fans took to the water by the thousands to farewell the fleet. It wasn’t a surprise – over the course of the Auckland stopover, over 500,000 fans came through the Race Village at the Viaduct Basin. On Sunday afternoon the Kiwi spectator armada consisted of foiling kite-boards, windsurfers, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, sailing dinghies, as well as hundreds of power and sail boats, along with the former Whitbread Round the World Race winner, Steinlager 2.

It was MAPFRE, the overall race leader, who made the best start to lead the fleet around a loop of the Waitematā Harbour and out into the Hauraki Gulf, with Dongfeng, Team Brunel and Turn the Tide on Plastic in close and giving chase. In a return to the heritage of the event, Leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race will take the teams on a 7,600 nautical mile journey into the Southern Ocean, and around the iconic Cape Horn, before returning to the Atlantic Ocean towards the finish in Itajaí, Brazil.

"100% of the sailors that have done this leg have at one moment said it is too hard or too tough," said Charles Caudrelier, the skipper of Dongfeng Race Team. "But when you pass Cape Horn you have a huge feeling of pride that you have faced your fears." “We’re going into one of the more gruelling legs of the race,” added Brunel’s Peter Burling, a hero in New Zealand for bringing the America’s Cup home last summer. “The biggest challenge is the endurance aspect, having to keep the intensity high through some very difficult conditions… It’s going to be pretty tough for any of us Kiwis to leave here, but we’re all pretty excited to get into it.”

The initial Ice Exclusion Zone will allow the teams to sail as far south as 59-degrees south latitude, well into the ‘Furious Fifties’, where wind and waves circle the planet unimpeded by land, allowing them to build to fearsome levels. It will be very cold that far south, and the routing will take the fleet to the most remote part of the world, Point Nemo, where the international space station is closer than any point of land. There is a balance to be struck on this leg, between pushing the crew and equipment hard in the quest for victory, and ensuring the team is able to finish the leg at all.

“This is a part of the world where sometimes you have to forget about the race and just take care of the people and the boat,” noted Caudrelier. “It's a special place, sailing in the South - the sea is bigger, the wind is stronger, so you need to be mindful.”

The teams are getting straight into it – after leaving the final turning mark, the forecast is for an upwind slog into a 30-knot easterly as they aim to clear the Coromandel Peninsula and then the East Cape of New Zealand, before turning south in search of the low pressure systems that will power them towards Cape Horn, some 11 days away.

“It’s going to be upwind and bumpy until East Cape,” said Vestas 11th Hour Racing navigator Simon Fisher. His team is returning to the race after retiring from Leg 4 and missing the leg into Auckland while repairing damage to their hull.

Current situation: 18.3.2018 ob 11:00

As Internautica 2018 draws closer, we’re proud to reveal some exciting news, product exclusives, and partners you can expect over the four-day event, from 17th to 20th May. 

Internautica remains an industry trendsetter in the Adriatic region. From yachts to inflatables, catamarans and sailing boats to power boats, electronics and nautical equipment to fashion, expect to see all your favourite brands, including Absolute, Adler, Azimut, Bayliner, Cranchi, Dreamline, Elan, Ferretti, Fountaine Pajot, Greenline, Hanse, Jeanneau, Marex, Monterey, Nomadream, Pershing, Quicksilver, Riva, Sessa, Sea Ray, Solaris, Windy and many others.

First, we’ve had an overwhelming response from businesses wanting to participate. So to give our valued exhibitors and guests the best experience possible, we’re extending the exhibition space for the first time ever.

We’re going to connect the floating docks with the “marina island”. As well as hosting the beach volleyball court and beach bar, you’ll also have access to caravans and caravanning goods. We’ll also move the Stand-Up Paddling Championship starting position to the “marina island”, so everyone can enjoy a clear view of the race.

Our extended exhibition area means more exhibitors and more nautical novelties to explore than ever before. Whether it’s buying your next boat or kitting out your caravan, you’ll find everything you need without ever leaving the marina. Internautica 2018 will present over 200 new sport boats, cruisers, multihulls, power and sailing yachts, from inflatables up to 40m.

The revered Adriatic Boat of the Year award will once again recognise the best of last season’s craftsmanship at the Exhibitor’s Gala. In partnership with Navtika Plus (Slovenija), More Magazine (Croatia), Yachts Croatia (Croatia), Nauticki Magazine (Serbia), Nautika Magazine (Serbia) and Barche Magazine (Italy), our expert judging panel will preside over the top boats that made their maiden voyage last year. With so many excellent craft to choose from, it always draws a large crowd.

Second, we’ve partnered with Lexus to give you exclusive access to the Lexus RX Hybrid – a car that combines an electric motor with a conventional engine for eco-friendly efficiency, effortless driving, and uncompromising performance. The decarbonisation of transport is crucial to protect our planet’s oceans for future sailors, so come and see why the RX Hybrid is the smarter alternative to diesel.

Third, in keeping with our sustainability goals, S-Bikes return as the official bicycle of Internautica. This Slovenian brand is responding to today’s mobility needs while minimising their environmental impact. By combining the advantages of a folding bicycle with an electric one, the S-Bike takes up little space, and with a range of up to 67 km on a single charge, you can travel further without pedalling. Perfect for cycling to and from your moorings.

Finally, we’re delighted to present Tilli Antonelli, one of the world’s leading yacht creators, at our Green Avenue project. Mr Antonelli developed famous yacht brands Pershing and Wider, and now leads Sanlorenzo’s new E Motion division. The new models use a hybrid engine (some are fully-electric) for greater efficiency, comfort, and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Our exclusive financial partner this year is Vzajemci Skupina. They’re the leading financial advisory group in the Slovenian market, which can boast of a team of 30 financial experts, and with the customer care and satisfaction of more than 20,000 active clients to whom in the 17 years of operation they have offered a comprehensive financial service ranging from the mutual funds of domestic and foreign managers to a broad a range of insurances, banking products and opinions on alternative investments. Their competitive advantage is in its own investment committee, consisting of 5 financially supported individuals who analyse investments on a daily basis and look for opportunities for investors.

Please keep an eye out for more exciting news in the coming weeks. Internautica 2018 is set to be the biggest and best yet.

Internautica 2018 is organized by Studio 37 d.o.o. in cooperation with Marina Portorož d.d.

Dongfeng Race Team earned a spectacular come from behind win on Saturday afternoon in New Zealand

Dongfeng Race Team showed great concentration and resilience in winning the New Zealand Herald In Port Race in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.

Conditions were extremely light, shifty and patchy on the Waitematā Harbour, making for plenty of lead changes over the course of the one hour race.

Team AkzoNobel finished in second place, while early leaders MAPFRE completed the podium to retain the overall lead in the In Port Race Series.

"It was very tricky, very difficult," said Dongfeng skipper Charles Caudrelier following the race. "We had a terrible start but there was so much happening during the first leg that it wasn't always good to be in the lead as you just showed the others where the light spots were. We were able to pick up on that and sail around the leaders. "We worked hard on our speed, and managed to come back slowly.”

The race started in spectacular fashion, considering how light the wind was. MAPFRE positioned well to leeward of the fleet, was first across the line, with David Witt’s Scallywag barging through with speed ahead of a big group clustered near the pin end.

But in fact, it was Team Brunel who were causing the pile-up at the pin, forcing three boats outside of the start line, with Dongfeng, Turn the Tide on Plastic and team AkzoNobel all required to re-start well behind the leaders.

That left MAPFRE and Scallywag as the early leaders, charging up what appeared to be a one-tack leg.

But as they approached the top third of the leg, the wind died, and the trailing boats were able to sail around the leading pair on both sides, with AkzoNobel and Vestas 11th Hour Racing squeezing through just ahead of Dongfeng Race Team and Brunel Sailing.

On the nominally downwind second leg, AkzoNobel and Dongfeng found a vein of pressure to grab the lead, and on a shortened two-lap course, it was Dongfeng who were able to ease ahead and hold on for the win.

 "New Zealand Herald" In-Port Race

Vestas 11th Hour Racing is back in the water, with a test sail anticipated later this week. The boat had been shipped to New Zealand for repairs following a collision just before the finish of Leg 4, off Hong Kong.

"It's been an amazing effort by all involved to get the boat back in the water," said skipper Charlie Enright. "The coordination between our shore team, The Boatyard, all the suppliers, the stakeholders... A month ago we said we'd be back on the water on this day, and we've stuck to the schedule. It's amazing.

"We still have to haul it out, put it on its keel, put the rig in, put it through its paces... and we'll be sailing starting on the 7th, which gives us plenty of time ahead of the in-port race and for the Leg start on the 18th. So we're in good shape."