Green Dragon finishes 4th in VOR 1st leg, to get 3rd place after Ericsson 3 penalty

[Source: Volvo Ocean Race] Green Dragon crossed the finish line in Cape Town at 07:12 GMT to be the fourth boat home on the first leg of the 2008-09 race.

Due to the points' penalty handed out by the International Jury to Ericsson 3, who finished about three hours ahead of Ian Walker's men, the Irish-Chinese entry, will be promoted to the final podium position.

"It is definitely good to be here," said an exhausted Ian Walker, skipper. "The first 10 days of this leg were easy and then it got tight and tactical with four or five race leaders right across the leg. Obviously, we were very happy coming first at the gate and the boys did a great job. Waking up this morning and seeing Table Mountain was a great feeling."

Green Dragon arrives in Cape Town, 3rd overall. Cape Town, 3 November 2008. Photo copyright Rick Tomlinson / Volvo Ocean Race

Ian Moore, the navigator, added, “I’ve done this leg of the Volvo before, but it did seem that this leg was windier but easier, but it still seems like a very long way. I honestly love being back in Cape Town, it is a very special place. We saw the outline of the mountain at dawn, with the lion’s head, and we always have a fantastic warm welcome here, there is a special atmosphere. It was an exciting finish to the leg and I am pleased with what we have done."

Green Dragon skipper, Ian Walker talks about the 1st leg

Meanwhile, Ericsson 3 celebrated their finish on a high note.

“I am very proud of the team,” said skipper Anders Lewander. “It is fantastic coming to Cape Town: what an achievement for us. We have fought really hard and come back with great attitude. All the hours of preparation were worthwhile. We have had a lot of hard work, but we’ve got through and built on our spirit.”

Green Dragon had been hoping to overhaul Ericsson 3, but Ian Walker’s crew is wary of pushing too hard after hitting a submerged object last week.

Ericsson 3 earned four leg scoring points for their efforts over the past three weeks, after taking into account the two-point penalty imposed by the International Jury for a measurement infraction.

Ericsson 3 arrives in Cape Town, 4th overall. Cape Town, 3 November 2008. Photo copyright Rick Tomlinson / Volvo Ocean Race