From the Volvo 40 web site
10 :: November :: 2005
16:40:00 :: UTC



Going in to the ultimate race of this first Volvo Extreme Grand Prix series there were two teams with even points. Hilfiger and Volvo Ocean Race both with 85 points. Holmatro two points behind that. This was the all-deciding race. After the start all five carbon fibre catamarans went left towards the shoreline picking up more pressure. Hilfiger, VOR and Basilica continued covering each other close to shore. Only Holmatro and Motorola tried the other side of the second part of the beat. Hilfiger came out on top with skipper Smyth in great form. Mitch Booth his adventure on the right paid of and Holmatro caught up rounding second at the top mark. Basilica third, Brouwer fourth and Motorola last.
Occasionally the windward hull was flying and Smyth proved again to be fast in the light stuff to extend his lead on Hilfiger and secure the first place for the series. Behind VOR and Holmatro were in a close battle and in the mean time Basilica and Motorola slipped through.

Smyth did put up a nice show going over the finish line. The Tommy Hilfiger cat was showing the bottom of the catamaran to the spectators near the yacht club sailing on one hull and maximum heel. High fives American style onboard the winning cat. The whole week Brouwer’s Team on Volvo Ocean Race were in the lead. For them it must be hard to give up the lead at this decisive moment.