Final stop: After 17 days, Pumal's first crosses the finish line in front of South Beach
Skipper Ken Read and his fighters, including Michael Müller from Kiel, fell from their hearts after crossing the finish line on Wednesday evening (CEST). With five miles and a little more than an hour ahead of the red racer from Camper, they made it to the finish and celebrated the targeted home win in Miami in summery temperatures.
The boat parade follows Puma after the finish line
The section, which was sailed in mostly mild conditions, was the diametrical opposite of the wild fifth stage from New Zealand around Cape Horn to Brazil, which Pumnnot only won, but was also the only ship in the fleet to survive without damage. But like in Itajai, where “Mar Mostro” was victorious with a few minutes ahead of Telefonics, this section remained very exciting until the end.
The night before, Puma had to watch helplessly on the northern tip of the island of Eleuther in an absolute calm as the New Zealanders came up from astern with a better wind, but then got stuck in a wind hole themselves. The last blow to the west towards the goal developed into a tactical battle in which the Gulf Stream, which set from south to north, was also an important factor.
"Mar Mostro" in the Gulf Stream
“Unbelievable,” said the overjoyed Read at the finish. “That was very thin. The guys on Camper sailed excellent, but I'm proud of my team, they couldn't have done it better. With that, Pumn not only got the fourth podium finish in six stages and the second stage win in a row, but also 30 points in the overall standings, which will consolidate the top ranking. Camper will also make up ground on the overall leaders of telephones with their 25 points. How much depends on whether the Spaniards, 55 miles to go behind Groupamlagen, can get past the French.
Pump versus camper: The duel over the last few miles
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