29 May 2006 - The sixth in-port race of the Volvo Ocean Race took place today in the shifty conditions of the Solent, Portsmouth (UK). The Ericsson Racing Team was joined by honorary guest and four times Olympic rowing Gold medallist, Matthew Pinsent (GBR). Ericsson finished fifth, picking up 1.5 points on the scoreboard. ABN Amro One won the race, followed by Pirates of the Caribbean and Brasil 1.

Skippered by British yachtsman Neal McDonald and with four of its eleven crewmembers sailing in home waters, the Ericsson Racing Team had high hopes of a podium position in today’s in-port race. However, the end result was disappointing, as Neal McDonald explains:

“This was not a great day for us. There were very big shifts and it was very challenging. These conditions are not unusual for the Solent, but we obviously didn’t make the best of them. We also blew a spinnaker out, which was a big set back for us. Luckily, we managed to get most of it back onboard.”

The in-port race took place in an area of the Solent seven miles south east of Portsmouth harbour. Conditions for the start were windy, with 20 knots of south-south westerly breeze, and the fleet headed upwind to a turning mark some five miles south of Hayling Island.

All the boats jostled for the right side of the line, except for Pirates of the Caribbean which went left. Ericsson got out in fourth, with the two ABN Amro boats to windward. “We had a fairly good start, but then we were forced to tack to the wrong side of the course by Brasil 1,” commented Magnus Woxén. In the end, Pirates of the Caribbean and Brunel were the only boats to go left.

The Pirates’ decision paid off. They got a good wind shift and reached the top mark with a comfortable lead over the rest of the fleet. ABN Amro One rounded second, followed by Brasil 1 and then Ericsson. The boats headed downwind on the first of four leeward legs. Positions remained unchanged as they rounded the top mark for the second time, and it was just after this that Ericsson blew out its spinnaker. ABN Amro Two passed them and Ericsson dropped back to fifth.

It was not the only boat to suffer damage from the building breeze. Pirates of the Caribbean ripped a spinnaker, allowing ABN Amro One to take the lead. Despite a tough fight, Ericsson was unable to gain a position. ABN Amro finished first, followed by Pirates of the Caribbean and Brasil 1.

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