Telefonica Blue grabs maximum points

(GETTY IMAGES)

By just 40 seconds, the Spanish boat Telefonica Blue snatched maximum points ahead of the American boat Puma at a scoring gate south-east of Newfoundland yesterday.

As the seven boats in the Volvo round the world race passed the one third mark of the seventh leg from Boston to Galway, TBlue, skippered by Bouwe Bekking, had been lying fourth and then discovered some weed wrapped round the keel, stopped and backed the Open 70 to clear it, and then gave chase.

"Slowly, but surely, we reeled the boats ahead in," said Bekking, also passing both the Ericsson boats at the same time.

The Chinese-backed Irish entry Green Dragon was last of the seven and nearly eight hours behind but, as the boats then turned south to skirt an ice exclusion box, picked up to fifth.

The next move will be to turn left and head direct for Galway, and, though there is a doubt over their ability to arrive, as predicted, on Saturday, extra wind strength will see speeds increase rapidly.