News from the Volvo Ocean race

LISBON, Portugal, May 27 – Team Brunel (Bouwe Bekking/NED) completed a triumphant Leg seven early on Wednesday to bolster their hopes of finishing with a podium place in the Volvo Ocean Race, and also keep alive the possibility of overall victory.
The Dutch boat sailed a near faultless transatlantic stage, edging MAPFRE (Iker Martínez/ESP) into second, just under 22 minutes behind. Following them, Team Alvimedica (Charlie Enright/USA) edged out long-time leg leaders, Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier/FRA), after an enthralling dogfight over the final miles.
The Chinese-backed boat was caught by Enright’s crew in the early hours of Wednesday, but battled their way back and looked sure to overtake them again before a botched tack ruined their chances.
Now the race that started in Alicante last October is back on this side of the world, the crews will relish a stopover in Portugal before tackling the final two legs. On June 7, they make their way from Lisbon, passed northern Spain to Laurent, in France. They then expect to leave Laurent on June 16 for the final leg to Gothenburg.