#VOR - Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's VOR 65 Azzam was the first yacht across the finish line in Cape Town this afternoon (Wednesday 5 November), taking Leg 1 of the 12th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The win marks an Irish triumph, too, with VOR veteran Justin Slattery serving as bowman, trimmer and helmsman among a crew that has faced a tough battle for first place since leaving Alicante more than three weeks ago.
Indeed, for the past week Abu Dhabi have been almost neck and neck with Dutch entrants Team Brunel and Chinese debutantes Dongfeng Race Team – the latter coming within one nautical mile of the leaders as Table Mountain came into view, as the VOR website reports.
But the wind shadow caused by that landmark slowed both boats down – and more importantly, provided the opportunity Ian Walker and his crew needed for the final push ahead to victory at 15:10 UTC.
