SANXENXO, SPAIN-(10-11-2005) The final three races were sailed today in the Volvo Extreme 40 Class. It was an nail-biting finale with two boats tied going into the ultimate race. Tommy Hilfiger with skipper Randy Smyth and the Volvo Ocean Race catamaran with skipper Carolijn Brouwer. Tommy Hilfiger sailed just a bit faster and smarter today to secure the victory in the light and fluky airs in the Sanxenxo bay.
Brouwer started the day well with a convincing win. But in the pen ultimate race the team of Brouwer sailed into a windless hole and never recovered. For the first time in this whole series Carolijn Brouwer and her team had to share first place in the overall ranking with Tommy Hilfiger. In the last race Randy Smyth stayed cool and beat Brouwer and her team to take the overall lead for the first time this week.
The price giving was done straight afterwards on the dock. Volvo Ocean Race CEO Glenn Bourke was there to hand out the trophies and the price money of the Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix. Winner takes 10.000 Euros, second placed 5.000 and third 2.500 Euros.
QUOTES Thursday 10 November 2005
Alistair Richardson (helmsman, Basilica)
“No, we are not happy. It has been a very difficult day today. There was a lot confusion about the actual course in the first race we were doing. We ended up in the wrong course and let three boats gone by. From first place we dropped to fourth. That was very disappointing. But for the rest we really enjoyed ourselves.”
Carolijn Brouwer (skipper Volvo Ocean Race)
“We are very happy with a second place. With so many first class sailors in a fleet like this, I think we should be very happy. Obviously coming from first place and ending up second is a little bit harsh, but if you have asked us if we would like to finish second in this Grand Prix we would have all signed for it. We had lots of fun, the boats were fast. All together: we deserved a beer. We have done a good job.”
Leigh McMillan (helmsman Motorola-CHR)
“Obviously we are a little bit disappointed. We came in to the last day with a very good chance of winning, Today we found the conditions a bit to difficult. But it has been a great week and looking forward to the next stop.”
Mitch Booth (skipper Holmatro)
“Although we could have been first and we are happy. We are on the podium and as long you are on the podium and drink some champagne, everybody is going to be happy with that. A great event. It turned out to be an event everybody expected. The sailors, the sponsors, plenty of crowd. It is a real thrill to sail these boats, so I am very happy.”
Randy Smyth (skipper Tommy Hilfiger)
“The whole Tommy Hilfiger team is going crazy. There is a lot of champagne going down tonight. It was just the highest pressure-cooker it could be. It was very, very close at the last race, but we won and you can not be more happier than that.”
Final Results:
1. Team Tommy Hilfiger
2. Team Volvo Ocean Race
3. Team Holmatro
4. Team CHR-Motorola
5. Team Basilica
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