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A new record - not the one expected!


WEBWIRE

05 June 2006

Led by Ericsson, the Volvo Ocean Race is slowing drifting along the south coast of Ireland, on a glassy sea. Progress is slow, but the racing is intense. The 24 hour record for the shortest distance traveled has most likely been broken, and the race is on to meet the new breeze first.

Just 14 miles separate the fleet from front to back, as it heads towards Gt. Skellig on the south west tip of Ireland. The competitors are struggling to find any breeze they can. They have just passed the Fastnet rock and the peninsula of Mizzen Head and are looking forward to stronger south-south westerly winds as they head up the west coast of Ireland.

Ericsson still leads the fleet in the north, 1 mile ahead of Brasil 1, having averaged just 5.4 knots in the last 24 hours. Pirates of the Caribbean and Brunel have moved into third, 12 miles behind Ericsson and 1 mile ahead of ABN Amro One.

“Brasil and us have made a break from the rest of the pack,” explains Ericsson skipper Neal McDonald (GBR). “We have both had the same game plan for the last 20 hours and we have been match racing together. We are now 12 miles ahead of the rest of the pack. Our goal is to try to touch the next breeze and sail away before the others, but there will be plenty of parking lots ahead for sure.”

According to McDonald, the breeze is building and Ericsson now has 10 knots of wind. However, according to some forecasts, it may not last for very long. Indeed, the high pressure system that is currently slowing down the fleet is expected to move over to the North Sea, where it will torment the competitors all over again. If so, then the likely ETA in Rotterdam could be Friday, making it difficult for the sailors and shore crews to get ready in time for the in-port race.

Aboard Ericsson, spirits are high thanks to its good position and speed in relation to the other boats, explains navigator Andrew Cape (AUS): “It is warm and sunny, but for sailboat racing you would describe the conditions as frustrating. We did not have over 3 knots of wind speed for several hours, so progress has been painful. The fleet is definitely heading for a record run for the shortest distance traveled in 24 hours.”

“The weather forecast looks bleak in terms of getting to the finish line. The high pressure system that we are currently negotiating is expected to move into the North Sea and once again slow our progress on the way down to Holland. At this stage, we are predicted to be 300nm from the finish line at midnight on Thursday 8 June. That would make it unlikely for the fleet to be ready for the Rotterdam inshore race on Saturday.”

Media Contacts:

Annabel Merrison
Press Officer
Phone: +46 70 287 1623
Email: annabel.merrison@ert.ericsson.com

Bernard Schopfer
Communications Manager
Phone: +46 70 206 6926
Email: bernard.schopfer@atlant.org

Mats Olsson
Swedish Media Contact
Phone: +46 70 633 6130
Email: mats.olsson@atlant.org

For information regarding Ericsson, please contact:
Ola Rembe
Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 8 719 9727; +46 730244873
Email: press.relations@ericsson.com
Annabel Merrison
Press Officer
Phone: +46 70 287 1623
Email: annabel.merrison@ert.ericsson.com

Bernard Schopfer
Communications Manager
Phone: +46 70 206 6926
Email: bernard.schopfer@atlant.org

Mats Olsson
Swedish Media Contact
Phone: +46 70 633 6130
Email: mats.olsson@atlant.org

For information regarding Ericsson, please contact:
Ola Rembe
Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 8 719 9727; +46 730244873
Email: press.relations@ericsson.com



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