After a total of eighteen races, double Olympic medallist Randy Smyth, skipper of Team Tommy Hilfiger took overall victory, winning by a difference of nineteen points over Team Holmatro. Everyone agreed that the crowds in Baltimore were brilliant and with visitors of an estimated 350,000 the atmosphere in the Inner Harbour was electric. Many spectators, both of sailing and non-sailing backgrounds, were thrilled to have come to Baltimore for the Waterfront Festival, to then be treated to the sight of the awesome VX40 racing machines competing in close quarters. Today was the last day of racing for this Grand Prix, and the spectators were left to keep guessing who would cross the finish line in first place as the various teams in turn had to endure the agony of being stuck in wind holes at different stages of the races. Towards the end of the first race, there was so little breeze that the VX40 struggled to keep their momentum and three of the five boats were classed as “did not finish” as they all crossed the finish line at least six minutes after the lead boat, as stipulated in the race rules. In contrast, there were also many sudden gusts which wowed the crowds as the VX40s would fly their hulls.

The Volvo Extreme 40s will be unleashed again at the end of the month in Portsmouth, England. Racing in Portsmouth takes place from the 27 May to the 3 June and will conclude with the boats taking part in the Round the Island Race – a race 50 mile race around the Isle of Wight.

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