Photos: L ©Martin Stockbridge R ©Oskar Kihlborg

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Sat, 17 Jun 2006 19:45:00 UTC

With 31,239 miles completed from 31,250, surely no more surprises could remain? Surely no tripwires lurked beyond the final furlong?

Well, there was, just one, and in the space of one sched ABN AMRO TWO sailed into a windless hole and saw their name disappear from the trophy awarded to the winner of the final leg, as they were overtaken and Pirates had their name inscribed. One more curve ball in a race that has seen many.

In fact ABN AMRO ONE’s all conquering performances were just about the only thing you could bank on during the past eight months. “I want some consistency back in my life,” Paul Cayard said, announcing his retirement moments after snatching victory. His face was happy, his eyes and tired stance said he needed a rest. Ditto the other 59 sailors remaining in this fleet.

With more ups and downs than the Alps, this race has dragged its participants through the full range of emotions. Some good, plenty bad, many fascinating and a share of devastation. There were retirements, breakdowns, world records, a yacht was abandoned and there was tragedy. If hindsight could be bottled the proprietor would have made a fortune from this fleet alone over the past eight months. Now it’s over, the extreme life becomes sedate.

Order will replace chaos, the second-to-second decision-making makes way for mundane routine and what we call a “normal life” from the comfort of our couches will become the staple diet of adrenaline junkies who fear a steady heartbeat.

For sure sailing doesn’t begin and end with the Volvo Ocean Race. “Most of us will be going on to the America’s Cup”, Simon Fisher, who has a few days rest before joining up with Victory Challenge, said. “But it’s not quite the same.”

“I just want to go again,” Justin Clougher said having arrived first into Gothenburg. His sentiments were echoed all around the dock as each team arrived. “This is the sailing we live for,” said Andrew Lewis of ABN AMRO TWO. “This is the end of the adventure for now.”

And what an end it was. Six tired crews and six tired boats, one by one, crossed the finish to heroes’ welcomes. The hills surrounding Red Point and leading to the finish were crammed with an estimated 250,000 people, while the beautifully calm, blue seas below were churned into a lumpy, white carpet for some 9,000 packed boats. When Cayard pumped his fist not many could see it, when he patted his crewmates on the back and said “great job,” not many could hear it; only the sounds of propellers and hooters could be heard, only masts and waving hands could be seen.

Now the sailors need a break. “This race is tough, exhausting really,” Jules Salter said. “It is a relief it’s finished, I’m shattered.” But it leaves a void not easily filled. “I’m not really sure what I’ll do with myself for the next few weeks,” Andy Meiklejohn of Brasil 1 added, his words barely audible over the reverberations of thousands of spectators. Amazingly his competitive instincts, and indeed that of many of his colleagues, remained fresh after eight months. “My number one feeling at the moment? We lost to Pirates, they get second and us third. That’s what I’m thinking about to be honest.

“The crowds here are enormous, gives you a great feeling, but I just wish we could have beaten Pirates.”

They didn’t and the last battle of this eight month war ended.

The rabble began to dissipate. Then, as the numbers continued to drop, ABN AMRO ONE arrived home in last place. A team which has made winning an expectation sailing in relative silence. It wasn’t what you would expect, but if the race has taught us anything it is to expect the unexpected.

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