Volvo Ocean Race: Red and white victory at Christmas: Mapfre closes the bag

Xabi Fernandez and his Spanish team Mapfre have won the third leg of the 2017/18 Volvo Ocean Race. Since the Dongfeng Race Team, which had long been in the lead on this first brutal Southern Ocean leg, suffered serious technical problems with the keel suspension last Wednesday, the "red and whites" sailed unchallenged towards their leg victory. Just in time for Christmas Eve, the men and women on "Mapfre" gave themselves the best Christmas present at 17:07 German time.

The battle for the two podium places behind them was exciting at times. Charles Caudrelier's Dongfeng Race Team had made a makeshift repair to the broken keel suspension, got the water ingress under control and fought tirelessly for second place, which could easily have been first if there had been no technical problems. Now the Caudrelier crew is sailing towards silver on this difficult leg, which will almost feel like a victory after the setback. The Dongfeng Race Team did not lose the duel against the Spaniards, which Mapfre skipper Xabi Fernandez described as a "battle of the titans", and the fans can look forward to more of these top duels.

Xabi Fernandez in Christmas bliss

Xabi Fernandez euphorically summarises the joy of his crew on Christmas Eve: "What a feeling we have on board! After the titanic struggle with them and ten days of real Southern Ocean sailing, we are the first to reach Melbourne on such an important leg. We are tired and happy. But we can also say that we have enjoyed every day of this leg. We know that we won't win every leg and we know how strong our competitors are. That's why we're so happy now. Christmas Eve and Christmas on land - this has given us a few extra days to recover before the next leg starts in a good week's time. This time is worth its weight in gold and I hope that we will make the most of it. Of course, we already have to think about the next leg and check the boat again and again. After this leg, I don't think you can examine the boat thoroughly enough. Part of our pit stop will be to eat well and get plenty of good sleep. Plus a bit of fitness training so that we can start the next leg strong again. Everyone on board is happy. Especially Sophie(Ed.: Ciszek)who reaches her home, where all her friends and family are waiting for her in the harbour."

Behind Mapfre, the cards seemed to have been dealt on Sunday afternoon: Dongfeng will probably be able to hold on to second place. Behind them, Vestas 11th Hour Racing defended third place against Bouwe Bekking's fiercely attacking Team Brunel. With a difference of around 14 nautical miles between the two boats and significantly less than 100 nautical miles to the finish, Bekking's hopes of third place on Christmas Eve were reduced to a minimum, but not yet completely dashed. The other chasers are not expected until the coming Christmas days, AkzoNobel perhaps even after Christmas in Melbourne after the early break on board.

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