Narrow lead for Holmatro

Three points in it after the third day of VX40 racing in Baltimore

Brasil 1 sailor Roberto Bermudez from Spain jumped ship for the day to make a guest appearance during the third day of the Volvo Extreme 40 grand prix series in Baltimore.

Team Holmatro has been the biggest beneficiary of Volvo 70 sailors joining the 40s with Pirates of the Caribbean sailor Anthony Merrington competing yesterday and Bermudez today, they have elevated themselves from the bottom of the leader board to the top.

Olympic medallist Mitch Booth who, along with Bermudez, was joined by his regular crew of son Taylor and Volvo Extreme 40 CEO Herbert Dercksen, put in another great performance for the second day in a row scoring nothing out of the top three to maintain their overall lead.

Team Holmatro was not the only boat to recruit the skills of a Volvo Ocean Race sailor. Onboard the all British Team Basilica ABN AMRO One sailor Robert Greenhalgh, brother of regular crew member Peter, joined the crew for the final two races helping the team on their way to victory in the final race of the day.

Rob Greenhalgh commented: “We finished the day on a good note with a race win. This close quarters stuff is what you miss when you sail around the world and I can’t wait to get back in a small boat again.”

With twelve knots of breeze and racing in the confined space of Baltimore’s Inner Harbour, the day was not without drama and there was plenty of close tussles and even a few red protest flags on display.

With two more days remaining of the series, Team Holmatro holds on to a three point lead from Tommy Hilfiger helmed by American Randy Smyth who won two of the day’s races and placed fourth in the remaining ones.

The all British Team Basilica helmed by Alister Richardson is currently in third place, nineteen points in front of Motorola-CHR helmed by Leigh McMillan. Team Volvo Ocean Race skippered by American Cam Lewis is still learning the art of controlling these 40ft flying beasts and are currently placed fifth.

The Volvo Extreme 40 grand prix series continues through until Wednesday 3 May

Results, day 3 (subject to protest)

1st Team Holmatro, NED (2,3,3,2,1,1,1,2,3,3,1,2) 96 pts
2nd Tommy Hilfiger, USA (1,1,1,1,2,4,5,3,1,1,4,4) 93 pts
3rd Team Basilica, GBR (4,4,2,5,5,2,2,1,2,2,3,1) 84 pts
4th Motorola – CHR, GBR (5,2,4,3,3,3,3,4,4,5,5,3) 65 pts
5th Volvo Ocean Race, USA (3,5,5,4,4,5,4,5,5,4,2,5) 58 pts

Remaining Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series Dates
Portsmouth, UK 27 May-3 June, 2006
Rotterdam, Netherlands 9-14 June, 2006

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