At the end of the second leg in Abu Dhabi, Team Alvimedica was in fifth place, delayed by its detour to rescue Team Vestas Wind. Its skipper, Charlie Enright, complained to the international jury to be reclassified.
Indeed, Team Alvimedica had to divert to assist the Danish team, stranded on a coral reef, during the night of November 29. The crew had to stay on the spot for several hours, waiting for help, and finally set sail again, once help arrived, in much less favorable conditions. The international jury of the Volvo Ocean Race, chaired by the Frenchman Bernard Bonneau, understood the request and recognized that all these operations had cost the American-Turkish team a place in the ranking.
Finally, Team Alvamedica is ranked at the 4th place ème position on this course between Cape Town and Abu Dhabi. The president explained "We have decided to grant you redress by reclassifying you to fourth place without affecting your competitors' points."
Charlie Enright explained "Of course we are happy with the decision. But we have only completed 20% of the race so far and we still have a lot to do. It's good to get this point back but it's a small step in a big mission. It doesn't change the overall ranking, it doesn't affect the ranking of the other boats, but later on, a point might be important."
General ranking after two stages :
1 âeuros Team Brunel (4 pts)
2 âeuros Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (4 pts)
3 âeuros Dongfeng Race Team (4 points)
4 âeuros Team Alvimedica (9 pts)
5 âeuros MAPFRE (11 pts)
6 âeuros SCA (12 pts)
7 âeuros Team Vestas Wind (12 pts)
