This 6 e étape to Newport started slowlyâeuros¦ veryès slowly. The boats left Itajai on Sunday, April 19 at 7:00 pm French time. As with the previous day's In-Port race, the wind was very light and the crews had to compete for patience to leave Brazil. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, the overall leader, was on the wrong side of the line when the gun went off and started this leg with a penalty.
After an hour of slow racing, the race direction decided to shorten the course to allow the crews to reach the open sea as soon as possible. Team Alvimedica was the first to set sail. For the crew, the pressure is great as they want to arrive first in Newport, the port of arrival of the next leg and especially the home port of the American-Turkish crew. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, Team SCA, Dongfeng Race Team and Team Brunel followed.
This Monday, April 20, MAPFRE took advantage of an unfavorable wind for Team Alvimedica to regain the lead of the fleet. However, all the crews are sailing at similar speeds, with only 5 miles separating the first, MAPFRE, from the last, Team Brunel.
The boats are expected in Newport in 17 to 20 days.
Ranking as of April 20, 2015
1 âeuros MAPFRE
2 âeuros Team Alvimedica
3 âeuros Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
4 âeuros Team SCA
5 âeuros Dongfeng Race Team
6 âeuros Team Brunel
