On Leg 7 between Newport and Lisbon, three Volvo Ocean Race boats have admitted to sailing against the traffic in the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). The culprits are Team SCA (Sam Davies), Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier) and MAPFRE (Iker Martinez). For breaking the navigation rules, all three teams have been given a penalty point, which will be added to the overall total.
The three crews admitted the facts, but explained in their defense that there was confusion in the way these DST zones were delineated and the angle at which boats are allowed to navigate in these zones. " It didn't give us any advantage, it wasn't a dishonest move on our part. There were no boats around at the same time, so there was no risk in terms of security tried to explain to the jury Sam Davies, skipper of Team SCA.
Witnesses from MAPFRE and Dongfeng Race Team explained that the late publication of the navigation rules in the DSTs had caused confusion among the crews. They also asked that improvements be made in the future to avoid this type of situation and that teams not make these mistakes unintentionally.
Dongfeng demoted
With this penalty point, Dongfeng Race Team loses one point on the leader of the ranking, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, and is now six points behind the Emirates boat. But the problem is that Dongfeng is now tied on points with Team Brunel, winner of the 7th race e stage. And based on the results of the In-Port, the Dutch crew is now in 2nd place e place in the general ranking.
Team Alvimedica wins a place
MAPFRE now has 27 points on the scoreboard and is tied on points with Team Alvimedica. Based on the results of the In-Port, the Turkish-American crew wins the 4th e place, just ahead of the Spanish crew.
Provisional general ranking
| 1 | Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing | 16 |
| 2 | Team Brunel | 22 |
| 3 | Dongfeng Race Team | 22 |
| 4 | Team Alvimedica | 27 |
| 5 | MAPFRE | 27 |
| 6 | Team SCA | 43 |
| 7 | Team Vestas Wind | 52 |
Credits: Carmen Hidalgo / Volvo Ocean Race
