Overall scores after Leg 4

(by Oliver Dewar) Each boat is awarded points for completing a leg with a sliding scale of values: the first boat in the double-handed division to cross the finish line of each leg scores 10 points; second place team scores 8 points; third scores 6 points and fourth scores 4 points.

In addition to leg scores, the Scoring Gate bonuses operate on an identical system with different point values: for the double-handed boats, first team across the Scoring Gate scores 2 points; second scores 1.5 points; third scores 1 point and fourth scores 0.5 point.

The Leg 4 Scoring Gate just south of Recife on the Brazilian coast was crossed first by Boris Herrmann and Felix Oehme on Beluga Racer, giving the German team their fourth scoring gate victory following their maximum points tally at the Leg 1, Leg 2 and Leg 3 scoring gates. Herrmann and Oehme also won Leg 4 crossing the Charleston finish line first and the overall points board including overall leg points and scoring gate points for the double-handed class are as follows:

1.   Beluga Racer - 46 points
2.    Desafio Cabo de Hornos – 39 points
3.    Team Mowgli – 29 points

With Leg 5 starting on Sunday 31st May from Charleston across the North Atlantic to Portimão, Portugal, there are a maximum of 12 points available for this final leg of the circumnavigation. Thus, if the Chilean team on Desafio Cabo de Hornos won both the North Atlantic Scoring Gate points and the finish line points and the German duo on Beluga Racer managed third place across the scoring gate and third across the finish line, Herrmann and Oehme would still win overall with maximum points (Beluga Racer 53 points, Desafio Cabo de Hornos 51 points).

However, the honour of winning the final leg and crossing the Portimão finish line first is vitally important in terms of competitive prestige, self-esteem and personal pride ensuring that Leg 5 will be fast and furious with all teams pushing themselves and their boats to the limit. It is in this environment of high-octane competition that an error or gear damage – or even a collision with debris - could dramatically alter the final outcome of the event.

Double-handed class Leg 4 times and averages:
1. Beluga Racer - Finish time 00:49:47 GMT 17/05. 21d 08h 49m 47s. Ave Spd 9.3kts
2. Desafio Cabo de Hornos – Finish time 17:15:03 GMT 17/05. 22d 01h 55m 03s. Ave Spd 9kts
3. Team Mowgli – Finish time 13:35:00 GMT 19/05. 23d 21h 35m 00s. Ave Spd 8.32kts

Double-handed class overall points after Leg 4:
1. Beluga Racer – 46 points
2. Desafio Cabo de Hornos – 39 points
3. Team Mowgli – 29 points

Single-handed class Leg 4 time and average:
1. Roaring Forty – Finish time 22:44:55 GMT 18/05. 23d 06h 44m 55s. Ave Spd 8.54kts