#VOR - Spanish team MAPFRE celebrated their first in-port series win of the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race in Newpor, Rhode Island yesterday (Saturday 16 May) in a contest notably title-sponsored by the absent Team Vestas Wind.
And as the official VOR website reports, no other boat really had a look-in, as Iker Martínez's yacht and crew secured an early lead -opting for the left gate at the first mark and benefiting from the extra pressure available on that side of the course.
While the victory hasn't changed MAPFRE's lowly sixth place on the leaderboard, it did close the gap between them and Team Alvimedica – now just three points apart – as the race enters its crucial shorter homeward legs.
The first of these sets sail in a little over eight hours time, as the six-boat fleet heads across the Atlantic to Lisbon - and a date with the rejoining Team Vestas Wind.
