April 17, 2006: At 14.57.52 EDT today, the crew of ABN AMRO ONE sailed across the finish line in first place of Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race. After creeping up the Chesapeake Bay in very light wind it was a delighted and relieved Mike Sanderson and his crew who took another leg victory in the race.

For the team this is the 4th leg victory of the race, and for Stan Honey, the oldest participant in the race at age 51 and the boat’s navigator, he sailed across the line in Baltimore, Md. as the first American. However, the leg has not been easy for TEAM ABN AMRO since leaving Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Mike Sanderson commented just after he crossed the line, “It is awesome to have won this leg. The conditions in the Bay have not been fast, that is for sure but we have been through a lot of different weather systems on this leg and it is incredible that we have got through them all and are here in first place. Once again the boys have done a fantastic job – I am always happy but today I am more than happy and I am very proud to be part of this team. It is a great day for us and I am looking forward to getting onto dry land here in America.”

ABN AMRO ONE began the leg sailing out of Guanabara Bay in last place as they lost the halyard on the head sail. For the ABN AMRO boats it was then a tough battle to stay with the fleet as the conditions were light and did not suit the Juan Kouyoumdjian designed boats. However, by Day 2 the wind had become much more suited for Mike Sanderson and his crew and they quickly began the hunt for first place. As the fleet headed towards the scoring gate off Fernando de Noronha it was a close fought battle for maximum points – ABN AMRO ONE were closing in on the leader but it was not to be, movistar passed 1.25 minutes ahead of the Dutch boat. For Mike and the team the first place finish into Baltimore, 16.5 miles ahead of movistar will be the first opportunity to finally relax on this tactically difficult leg.

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