Tough test for historic Legends Race

Beginning in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race, 17 entrants ranged from 32 to 80 feet, with the race won or lost using handicap ratings and total elapsed time. Now known as the Volvo Ocean Race, through the 13 editions of the contest would see the transition from a diverse fleet to class boats.

To celebrate the history of the race, 12 former Whitbread Round the World Race and Volvo Ocean Race yachts gathered to compete in the Legends Race from Gothenburg, SWE to The Hague, NED. It was the first time that legendary yachts from the 45-year history of the world’s leading ocean race have gathered to compete in an offshore race

The Legends fleet on the start line was a sight to see, a reminder of years gone by, with the fleet including Copernicus, who raced in the first edition in 1973-74, and overall winner Flyer in 1977-78, to modern yachts like Telefónica Blue which competed in 2008-09 and Ericsson 4, the winner of that edition of the race.

Beginning on June 21 in Gothenburg, 45 minutes before the start of the final leg of the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, the twelve Legends Race yachts sailed around the horn of Denmark to face strong winds and rough conditions, which was a big test for these historic boats.

”The conditions were critical at some moments and the fact that all the teams made it to the finish is real proof of a high level of seamanship,” said Ola Åstradsson, Project Manager of the Legends Race. “It is amazing to see how well the yachts held up and how some of the more modern boats actually reached almost record-breaking speeds on the way south to The Hague.

“We gathered all these yachts together because we wanted to highlight and promote the history of the race and its legendary stories. The way the teams raced really made it into a celebration of the heritage of the race, which will continue to be built on in the future.”

The fastest yacht to reach The Hague was Ericsson 4, who finished first of the three VO70s. Illbruck, famous for winning the Volvo Ocean Race in 2001-02, was the fastest of the six competing Whitbread 60s. But it was by a narrow margin as she beat Assa Abloy by just six minutes. This earned Illbruck third place on the scoreboard on corrected time behind Ericsson 4 and Telefónica Blue.

Of the older yachts, Flyer showed she’s still got it, beating the other competitors Neptune and Copernicus. Rothmans retired from the race before the fleet entered the tough conditions in the North Sea and Copernicus was the last yacht to reach the finish on June 26, after the crew had chosen to stop to make repairs early in the race in Skagen, Denmark. Her finish position was 11th place, the same as it was when she raced around the world in 1973-74

The Sir Peter Blake Trophy will handed over to the overall winner, Ericsson 4, on June 30 on the main stage at the Race Village in The Hague.

Following prizes were presented at the Legends prize giving ceremony on June 26:
Flyer (1977) – Winner Vintage Whitbread pre- 1990
Illbruck (2001) – Winner Volvo Ocean 60/W60
Ericsson4 (2008) – Winner Volvo Open 70
Ericsson4 (2008) – Overall Winner
Flyer (1977) – Concours d’elegance
Copernicus (1973) – Best effort Award
Neptune (1977) – Best effort Award

Legends Race Results on Corrected time:
1. Ericsson 4 – 1d 23h 54m
2- Telefónica Blue- 2d 2h 53m
3. Illbruck – 2d 6h 28m
4. Assa Abloy – 2d 6h 34m
5. SEB – 2d 9h 24m
6. Flyer – 2d 19h 34m
7. Tokio II – 2d 23h 15m
8. Silk Cut – 3d 1h 59m
9. Green Dragon – 3d 2h 33m
10. Neptune – 4d 4h 28m
11. Copernicus – 4d 23h 59m
12. Rothmans – Retired
13. Amer Sport One – Did Not Start

Event details – Notice of Race – Tracking – Facebook

Entries – Legends Race 2018:

1973-74
Copernicus (11th)
Designer: Liskiewicz & Rejewski
Rig: Ketch
LOA: 46.5’(14.20m)
Crew: 5

1977-78
Flyer (1st)
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens
Rig: Ketch
LOA: 65’2 (19.87m)
Crew: 12

Neptune (8th)
Designer: Andrė Mauric
Rig: Sloop
LOA: 59’ (17.9m)
Crew: 10

1989-90
Rothmans (4th)
Designer: Rob Humphreys
Rig: Maxi sloop
LOA: 80, (24.5m)
Crew: 13 – 16

1993-94
Tokio (5th)
Class: Whitbread 60
Designer: Farr Yacht Design
Rig: Fractional sloop
LOA 64’ (19.5m)
Crew: 12

1997-98
Silk Cut (5th)
Class: Whitbread 60
Designer: Farr Yacht Design
Rig: Fractional sloop
LOA 64’ (19.5m)
Crew: 12

2001-02
Assa Abloy (2nd)
Class: Whitbread 60
Designer: Farr Yacht Design
Rig: Fractional sloop
LOA 64’ (19.5m)
Crew: 12

Illbruck (1st)
Class: Volvo Ocean 60
Designer: Farr Yacht Design
Rig: Fractional sloop
LOA: 64’ (19.4m)
Crew: 12

SEB (7th)
Class: Volvo Ocean 60
Designer: Farr Yacht Design
Rig: Fractional sloop
LOA: 64’ (19.5m)
Crew: 12

2008-09
Ericsson 4 (1st)
Class: Volvo Open 70
Designer: Juan Yacht Design
Rig: Fractional sloop
LOA: 70’5’ (21.4m)
Crew: 11

Green Dragon (5th)
Class: Volvo Open 70
Designer: Reichel Pugh
Rig: Fractional sloop
LOA: 64’ (19.4m)
Crew: 12

Telefónica Blue (3rd)
Class: Volvo Open 70
Designer: Farr Yacht Design
Rig: Fractional sloop
LOA: 70’5’ (21.4m)
Crew: 11

Source: Volvo Ocean Race Legends Regatta