SAILING: WITH LITTLE space remaining on the scoreboard for significant changes, the seven-boat fleet of the Volvo Ocean Race started the penultimate leg of the event and immediately sailed into a dramatic twist that has virtually copper-fastened the outcome of the eight-month race.

The wind had all but died when the starting-gun was fired and any breeze that remained was soon knocked out of the fleet’s sails by a rolling swell on which a spectator fleet numbered in the hundreds.

The faltering start was followed by a windshift that saw the breeze freshen slightly, and by the first mark Ireland’s Green Dragon had emerged as the fleet leader with Spain’s Telefonica Blue gaining steadily.

But by the second turning-mark, the lead had changed and the Spanish entry pulled ahead thanks to its edge in the light conditions, while American Puma Ocean Racing slotted in for second place.

With the spectator course completed, the fleet started its leg southwest along the crowd-lined coast of Marstrand island as the wind continued to fill in.

But within minutes, Telefonica Blue was brought to a sudden standstill from a speed of 16 knots. The leader’s massive keel bulb had hit an under-water but charted-rock and became wedged solidly.

Skipper Bouwe Bekking ordered sails to be lowered as the 70-foot yacht rocked violently on its unwelcome perch. The pursuing fleet immediately tacked for deeper water.

As the others disappeared towards the horizon at speeds of over 20 knots, a pains-taking operation began to free the Spanish yacht that had been one point behind second-placed Puma on the overall standings.

A daggerboard and one of the two rudders were smashed, and later inspection would reveal a badly mangled keel bulb. A more complete survey and damage report is pending.

“It is a disaster and everybody realises that,” admitted Bekking, who tried to put a brave face on the situation. “The most sad person is Sci-Fi (Simon Fisher – navigator) – I don’t know how many thousand times he has said sorry. That’s how it is, we are a team. We will come on top of it again.”

Although Bekking hopes to complete repairs in time for the Stockholm In-Port Race next weekend, the reality is certain to mean that his team will hold third place overall.

Second-placed Puma already conceded victory to overall leader Ericsson 4 in Galway two weeks ago, and winner-designate Torben Grael simply has to finish this leg in fourth place or better to secure victory with the final leg to spare.

For Ireland’s Green Dragon, yesterday’s early lead was a repeat of the Galway start a week previously, and the race against Ericsson 3 to reclaim fourth overall is the best possible result available to skipper Ian Walker and his team.