The boat skippered by Iker Martínez also takes the Speed Record Challenge for sailing the most miles in 24 hours during this second leg: 517.4
© Francois Nel/Volvo Ocean Race
At dawn and ahead of schedule, at 3:18:18 UTC, “MAPFRE” crossed the finish line of Leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race. The Spanish boat finished the leg after 24 days 11 hours, 18 minutes and 18 seconds of competition between Cape Town (South Africa) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
With the first rays of sunlight the Spanish team appeared over the horizon, which for days lead an intense fight for fourth place against team “Alvimedica”. In the last hours in the waters of the Persian Gulf, the Spaniards, after sailing very close to the coast of Oman and Muscat, stretched their lead to 53 miles over the Turkish-American team.
Shortly before crossing the finish line, and still with that distance ahead, the expressions on board relaxed and we received the first statements from the skipper, Iker Martínez, visibly pleased, especially about the boat: “It has been a good leg, especially about everything we’ve learned about the boat. ”
“For us it was important to beat ‘Alvimedica’. We were fighting in the lead, and then we lost it when we made the decision to go east, that did not work. But then, when we were in the middle of the fleet again we had to fight with them”, added the Basque after finishing the leg.
“We are more than happy, the improvement compared to the first leg has been important. I am proud of all crew for the work they’ve done. I admit that at the same time, we don’t forget that for a period of time we were leading, but in the general picture a fourth place is good. It is a well deserved place. We have a job list to do in Abu Dhabi and the next leg, do it even better. ”
517.4 miles in 24 hours: a number with a prize
In addition to the fourth place, “MAPFRE” takes in this second leg a number which comes with a prize. In the extreme conditions of the North Indian Ocean, and after overcoming the Agulhas Current, last November 21st, “MAPFRE” presented his candidacy to the IWC Schaffhausen Speed Record Challenge, after achieving the first speed record since leaving Cape Town: 517 4 miles sailed in 24 hours by the Spanish team and that no other boat in the fleet managed to beat.
MORE QUOTES
Xabi Fernandez, watch captain
“The last two days have been really nice on one side but pretty tough on the other. The truth is that we had to push a lot to pass ‘Alvimedica’ but after nearly two weeks without seeing anyone and being quite late, it’s always much nice being with other boats around and in the middle of the fight. Otherwise the days are too long”.
“We are pleased with the result, a fourth place is worth a lot and we are especially pleased to see the improvement compared to the previous stage. I think we had possibilities to be in any position in this leg, we simply bet for a slightly more radical strategy that obviously went wrong. We talked about it within the crew, we thought it was a good bet but it was not. To overtake another boat and finish fourth tastes great. We have put together a good team”.
André Fonseca, watch captain
We have seen that when we sail boat against boat, we are competitive. We are improving. We have done it and we will keep improving towards the next leg.