Sailing:Puma produced a commanding performance in the final battle of the Volvo Ocean Race to win the in-port race in Galway this afternoon and take the honours in the inshore series.
While Groupama were celebrating overall victory in the eight-month round-the world race, they were denied what would have been a unique double as Puma held on for the win they needed to win the inshore series.
Puma scored six points for the win, taking their in-port total to 45 and breaking their tie with Camper at the top of the inshore rankings.
Camper finished second to place second in the 10-race series with 44. Telefónica finished third, followed by Groupama.
“Winning anything is fun, whether it’s an in-port race or a game of checkers,” Puma skipper Ken Read said. “All these guys on this boat did an amazing job, we just finished an around the world race.”
Camper were first off the downwind start-line as the fleet split in two, with Puma, Sanya and Groupama opting for a course on the port side of the Galway Bay.
Their lead was short lived as the north-northeast wind gusted stronger at about 12 knots on the port side of the course, with Puma leading around the first mark.
Groupama were just 10 seconds behind in second place followed by Camper, Sanya, Telefónica and Abu Dhabi, who were forced to make a penalty turn for failing to keep clear of Sanya on the opening leg.
Groupama overshot the second mark to allow Camper to gain a position and jump to second place behind Puma.
Sanya held fourth, just ahead of Telefónica and Abu Dhabi.
Thousands of spectators on board hundreds of boats watched on as the fleet tussled for the final time on the 8.2 nautical mile inshore course. They weren’t disappointed as Groupama clawed back Camper to claim second place at the fifth mark.
Puma continued to power and proved unbeatable, while Camper made the crucial move at the last mark to take second place ahead of Groupama.