Charlie Enright became the first American skipper to win the 27,000-mile Ocean Race yesterday after World Sailing judges awarded his 11th Hour Racing team "redress" points following a collision near the start of the final stage a fortnight ago.
11th Hour became the first US-flagged entry to win the race in its 50-year history when the four points the jury awarded them left the Americans three points ahead of second-placed Team Holcim-PRB.
"I'm absolutely ecstatic," Enright said as the winning team eased into port in Genoa, Italy. "There have been highs, some incredible highs and also lows, but they were all worth it."
The US team had been leading the race when they were forced to retire following a collision with Guyot environment-Team Europe as they were sailing out of The Hague for the start of the seventh leg on June 15.
Guyot skipper Benjamin Dutreux admitted he was at fault for the collision that had left 11th Hour with a gaping hole in their stern.
11th Hour protested to the authorities.
Since leaving Alicante, Spain, in January, the boats have overcome physical breakdowns, giant flotillas of seaweed and even encroaching killer whales.
AGENCIES
11th Hour eases into port in Genoa for a celebration at the end of the 27,000-mile Ocean Race, with skipper Charlie Enright and co-founder Wendy Schmidt raising the trophy and crew members diving into the water. REUTERS
