Bouwe Bekking's Team Brunel was one point short of catching Ian Walker's Team Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in the inshore classification at the end of the thrilling final short race off Gothenburg. The Dutch team finished the 12th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race with a victory. However, because Abu Dhabi came second to last rather than last in the small Swedish thriller, it was also enough for Walker's team to narrowly win the inshore classification after their overall victory in the race around the world.
After the big trophy, Abu Dhabi also secured the small trophy for the best performance during the short races with a total of 31 points ahead of Team Brunel (32 points) and Team SCA (35 points). The women sailed onto the podium in second place off Gothenburg and, after a few low blows in the ocean marathon, said goodbye to the Volvo Ocean Race with their heads held high. Skipper Sam Davies said: "I don't think we could have wished for a better end to our project. Especially here in Gothenburg, which is pretty much our home. We have a lot of supporters and fans here, so we wanted to sail a good race. It wasn't easy today. There were a few moments when it could have gone very well or very badly. We managed to make it go well every time. Someone was looking down on us from up there today. I think it was Magnus."
He was referring to Magnus Olsson, who was in charge of the women's team before he passed away unexpectedly in April 2013. Davies said after the happy ending for the women: "We had our godmother here, Crown Princess Victoria. She often brings us luck, so it was perfect. I think it's proof that an all-female crew can be competitive. The podium place is good for women's sailing. And it's good for the future of the Volvo Ocean Race and hopefully for another women's crew. Maybe there will even be two next time."
The exciting duel for fourth place, which remained open until the last race, was won by the Spanish team Mapfre in a duel with the American team Alvimedica. Both teams had been level on points after almost 38,000 nautical miles around the world before the Swedish final race decided the overall ranking as a tiebreaker.
The prize for the best on-board reporter was also won by the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team. Matt Knighton was honoured for his outstanding performance in one of the toughest sports reporting jobs in the world. Seven hours of footage, 315 photos and more than 30,000 words tipped the scales in Knighton's favour. He was presented with the Inmarsat Onboard Reporter Award by CEO Rupert Pearce at the gala dinner in Gothenburg on Saturday evening.
However, there was sad certainty last week following the accident between the trimaran "Spindrift 2" and an organisers' safety boat, which occurred at the start of the last leg from Lorient via The Hague to Gothenburg on 16 June. YACHT online reported on the incident. The woman on board the dinghy who was hit by one of the oars of the "Spindrift 2" and thrown overboard had to have a leg amputated. Her other leg was also seriously injured. However, according to a report by the French news agency AFP, she is out of danger.
Team Spindrift Racing had suspended its regatta activities for the time being as a result of the accident. One of the team's crews will now take part in the Tour de France à la Voile again next week. Skipper Yann Guichard, however, will continue to refrain from racing for the time being. In a personal statement, Guichard wrote: "We are all shocked by the accident. My thoughts remain first and foremost with the victim and her family. My deepest sympathies go out to them. Much has been said and written about the accident. The investigation is ongoing and therefore there are limits to what I can say. As a sailor and as a skipper, safety has always been my top priority over the past 20 years. Spindrift Racing's participation in the Tour de France à la Voile reflects our commitment to the members and staff of our team, the sailors and all those who have contributed to our project over the years."
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
