Winners of Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 awarded in St. Petersburg
Winners of the tenth race in the history of VOR (Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009) were awarded in St. Petersburg on June 28, the finish port of the Race. The crew of Ericsson 4 (Brazil) with 114.5 points took the highest step, PortNews reporter tells. The second was the crew of PUMA (USA) with 105.5 points, the third - Telefónica Blue (Netherlands) with 98 points after 9 legs. Spanish Telefónica Black was the first in the tenth and final leg Stokholm – St. Petersburg. Russian boat Team Russia had to leave the competition after three legs but participated in celebrations on the Neva river.
“The Race story is over. It’s a funny feeling because some of these guys you had never met before and you become like brothers. Now we go our own ways and it’s a strange feeling. On the other hand it has been a long race. It was a very long race around the world. We are completely drained and tired so I think everyone is looking forward to a nice rest. We have had a wonderful time. Being the leaders we could relax a little as the entire race has taken all our strength. I’m very glad that Telefonica Black, Fernando and his crew won the final leg,” Ericsson 4’s Torben Grael told journalists.
Within the framework of Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 finish an agreement on cooperation was signed between St. Petersburg and All-Russia Sailing Federation (VFPS). The document was signed by St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko and Governor of the Tver Region Dmitri Zelenin, head of VFPS. First of all the document envisages the support of youth sport and yachting clubs as well as international competitions in St. Petersburg, All-Russia championships and seminars for judges and trainers.
It was the first time St. Petersburg held the finish of Volvo Ocean Race (VOR). Celebrations were held on June 27-28 with the race village in the territory of the Peter-and-Paul Fortress.
The Race started in Alicante, Spain, on October 4, 2008 and on October 11 the yachts sailed off for the round-the-world cruise. The final leg was from Sweden to Russia.
The first start of the Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race) was in 1973 in Great Britain. From 1997, the race bears its current name - Volvo Ocean Race and is held every four years (from 2005 – every three years). It is one of five largest sport events in the world.
“The Race story is over. It’s a funny feeling because some of these guys you had never met before and you become like brothers. Now we go our own ways and it’s a strange feeling. On the other hand it has been a long race. It was a very long race around the world. We are completely drained and tired so I think everyone is looking forward to a nice rest. We have had a wonderful time. Being the leaders we could relax a little as the entire race has taken all our strength. I’m very glad that Telefonica Black, Fernando and his crew won the final leg,” Ericsson 4’s Torben Grael told journalists.
Within the framework of Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 finish an agreement on cooperation was signed between St. Petersburg and All-Russia Sailing Federation (VFPS). The document was signed by St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko and Governor of the Tver Region Dmitri Zelenin, head of VFPS. First of all the document envisages the support of youth sport and yachting clubs as well as international competitions in St. Petersburg, All-Russia championships and seminars for judges and trainers.
It was the first time St. Petersburg held the finish of Volvo Ocean Race (VOR). Celebrations were held on June 27-28 with the race village in the territory of the Peter-and-Paul Fortress.
The Race started in Alicante, Spain, on October 4, 2008 and on October 11 the yachts sailed off for the round-the-world cruise. The final leg was from Sweden to Russia.
The first start of the Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race) was in 1973 in Great Britain. From 1997, the race bears its current name - Volvo Ocean Race and is held every four years (from 2005 – every three years). It is one of five largest sport events in the world.