A full loop for the sloop

Germans win grueling Volvo Ocean Race

KIEL, Germany (AP) -- Illbruck Challenge became the first German sloop on Sunday to capture the Volvo Ocean Race, the grueling around-the world sailing event held every three years.

Illbruck sailed into the German shipyard city of Kiel, ending a punishing nine-month, 32,700-mile race, which boasted some of the closest ocean racing ever.

"It's unbelievable, just fantastic, a once-in-lifetime experience," said Richard Clarke, the ship's Canadian trimmer. "I'll have to do this again. There have been a few nightmares, but I'll forget them."

Tens of thousands of spectators, including Princess Victoria of Sweden, lined up along the picturesque Kiel yacht harbor broke into cheers as the sloop moved crisply to the finish line after the wind picked up following a daylong lull.

At least a thousand boats accompanied the German sloop with its bright green hull to the finish line, some picking up the Illbruck far at sea.

"We had German boats out 70 miles supporting us -- I have never seen so many boats in my life," Clarke said.

The Illbruck, skippered by American John Kostecki, came in second in the 250-nautical mile sprint that was the Volvo's last leg, finishing behind Norway's djuice.

But that was enough to hold off the German sloop's last challenger, Sweden's Assa Alboy, which needed to win the final stage to claim the Volvo -- called the Whitbread when last held in 1997-1998.

Assa was third and three hours behind the Illbruck in the final sprint, which began 29 hours earlier in Gotheberg, Sweden.

Illbruck, aiming to become the first German team to challenge for the America's Cup, finished with 61 points after nine legs while Assa will collect 55. Eight sloops were entered, with some still at sea until late Sunday night.

 

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