Illbruck powers ahead
Sailing: John Kostecki set a world record of 484 miles for 24 hours during a hectic seventh leg of sailing's Volvo Ocean Race.
John Kostecki set a world record of 484 miles for 24 hours during a hectic seventh leg of sailing's Volvo Ocean Race, the 3,512 miles from Annapolis to La Rochelle.
Despite his average 13.46 knots, Kostecki refuses to yet believe that his race-leading yacht Illbruck will be the overall winner in Kiel on 9 June. 'We must continue to push hard,' he said, choosing to overlook an eight-point advantage over his nearest rival, Assa Abloy.
Kostecki, the American skipper of the German funded entry, is relentless in his determination to ensure that Illbruck is victorious and has been since this campaign was first announced three years ago. It is undoubtedly the additional preparation that the Illbruck team has enjoyed that has put her in this enviable position.
The first six boats finished in as many hours but the rest are clearly fighting for the other two podium places at the end of the next two legs.
'We have the capability to win but need a bit of luck on our side, and a bit of bad luck for Illbruck,' Assa Abloy skipper Neal McDonald said.
Amer Sports One, with the five-race veteran Grant Dalton as skipper, is in a precarious third place, ahead of NewsCorp and Tyco.
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Despite his average 13.46 knots, Kostecki refuses to yet believe that his race-leading yacht Illbruck will be the overall winner in Kiel on 9 June. 'We must continue to push hard,' he said, choosing to overlook an eight-point advantage over his nearest rival, Assa Abloy.
Kostecki, the American skipper of the German funded entry, is relentless in his determination to ensure that Illbruck is victorious and has been since this campaign was first announced three years ago. It is undoubtedly the additional preparation that the Illbruck team has enjoyed that has put her in this enviable position.
The first six boats finished in as many hours but the rest are clearly fighting for the other two podium places at the end of the next two legs.
'We have the capability to win but need a bit of luck on our side, and a bit of bad luck for Illbruck,' Assa Abloy skipper Neal McDonald said.
Amer Sports One, with the five-race veteran Grant Dalton as skipper, is in a precarious third place, ahead of NewsCorp and Tyco.
· You've read the piece, now have your say. Email your comments, as sharp or as stupid as you like, to the sport.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk.
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