Team Brunel crossed the finish line in Itajai just one mile ahead of Dongfeng Race Team after 7,600 miles. . Third place, Akzonobel, was so far back they wont finish until tomorrow.
The result with double points on the leg, an extra point for the victory plus another for rounding Cape Horn in first place catapults Bowwe Bekking’s team up the leaderboard from 6th to 3rd, completing the podium at this stage in the race.
The order of the two boats in front of him will only be decided in 3-4 days and depends on whether Turn the Tide on Plastic keeps Mapfre at bay or if the Spanish boat can find a way round Dee Caffari’s 50/50 team.
If Mapfre gets past they will leave Itajai for Newport, Rhode Island leading the Volvo Ocean Race overall by just one point. If TTOP holds Mapfre off then Dongfeng Race Team will head back into the Northern Hemisphere one point to the good but we will have to wait to see what happens there.
A tough leg, a challenging leg, a leg of attrition and most of all a sad leg as reflected on by Dongfeng skipper Charles Caudrelier in his post finish interview.
Hot shower, NON freeze dried food and perhaps even a beer or two is surely now on the menu for those who have just arrived.
