NEWPORT, Rhode Island (AP) — With the Volvo Ocean Race fleet ghosting toward the finish of Leg 8 in light, shifty wind, Spanish team MAPFRE emerged from the fog at dawn, May 8, and trailing Team Brunel with about 550 yards to go.
MAPFRE caught a puff of breeze on the approach to the final turning mark and passed Team Brunel to win the leg and cap a stunning comeback.
MAPFRE crossed the line 1 minute, 1 second ahead of Team Brunel, a remarkable result after sailing 5,700 nautical miles in 16 days from Itajai, Brazil.
“This is unbelievable,” MAPFRE skipper Xabi Fernandez said. “I can’t be happier. We were always hoping to come back a little bit but to be honest we were not expecting to win this leg, so we’re super happy. Our hopes were always that there would be a compression so we could catch someone. Last night has been crazy how much everything has closed up and everyone on board did an amazing job.”
MAPFRE had been in fifth place with 300 miles to go. The crew caught up and by early Tuesday was battling in slow motion with Team Brunel, Dongfeng Race Team and Vestas 11th Hour Racing.
The tide...
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