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An Epic Leg

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Kr

Day 19 blog from Kenny

I don't remember when I wrote my last blog. I don't really remember when I slept last. We started rationing food days ago and had our last meal this am. And I am really, really happy.

This has been an epic leg. Like nothing any of us in the sailing world has ever seen. It seems like every leg we come in and say, "This was the toughest leg ever." But, this time we mean it. This was the toughest leg ever.

Going around Cape Horn was amazing. Our duel with the incredibly unlucky Groupama. The remarkable fortune of Telefónica to get the weather window they did in order to eat up a 450 mile gap in the last 2,000 miles. And to be able to hold them of not once, but twice drifting to the finish when they closed the gap to within 100 yards. Just unreal.

I am very proud of the boat building team, the shore team and all the engineers and designers that put this boat together. Your boat made it folks. It is in great shape and lord only knows we put her through the ringer. The sailing team salutes you all.

And to the sailing team who hung in there through thick and thin, amazing work. As safe as we can be. All in great spirits. And we get to do it all over again in two weeks.

This is a leg and a trip that I will remember forever. Probably my last foray into the Southern Ocean. An adventure within an adventure you might call it. Glad this one is behind us and the "friendly" confines of the Atlantic Ocean await.

- Kenny

Ken Read

Skipper

PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG

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Comments

Add Your Voice 21

Bobbie Bode

From Cincinnati, OH
Great job, Kenny and the entire PUMA crew. You had me a nervous wreck for a while there. But you pulled it off! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Apr 6 2012

Eigil Rothe

From Wash dc
Amazing finish. Amazing job. Have been rooting for Puma all along. God bless Ken Read and God bless the crew. Amazing team.
Apr 6 2012

tjosso

From Sydney,AUS
Well done and well deserved, it would not of been right for Telefonica to pip you guy's, good seamanship should be rewarded and Puma's 11 guy,s did it non-stop, the only team to do so. Congrats
Apr 6 2012

tracey Harrap

From hawaii
omg i couldnt watch..shame no live coverage... rang n.z made sure kelvy was up and he had been of course! driving mary mad might add.... itching to re-join u guys well done guys... pheww that was close one. go get some well needed rest aye
Apr 6 2012

Rene

From winsum, Groningen
Best leg ever! Excitement, hardship and pure heroism. I love this race!
Apr 7 2012

Valentin

From Moscow, Russia
Fantastic race and incredible win! I admire of you guys. Best team, best skipper and the best boat put together made this fantastic result. Wish you win all the rest legs and IP races.
Apr 7 2012

Danny

From Gulf Coast, USA
Especially prod to be an American today!
Apr 7 2012

Michael _STL

Congradulations to Kenny and the entire team. The only thing that could have made this leg more exciting would have been Kenny performing his famous Flip-Flop move on Telefonica at the end. Diana and I look forward to more excitement in the rest of the race.
Apr 7 2012

Jali

From Turku, Finland
Well done! For Ken: Now you just have to keep the winning team same. Old rule, never change the winning team...
Apr 7 2012

Maria Jose Botelho

From Portugal
Great job!!! I have been rooting for you all along. You are an awesome team! Hope Kenny isn't serious about this beeing his last volvo ocean race! You need to be there next time. VOR wouldn't be the same without you Kenny!!!
Apr 7 2012

Oriana Townley

From Spain
I can`t say much that hasn`t already been said and I agree with every comment!! The only thing different is I am English (not American,but what the hell !!) I also live in Alicante and my husband is Spanish (what the hell !!). But I am really happy you pipped them (Telefónica,great sailors too I have to add) at the post!! Thanks Kenny for making this leg an absolute sporting achievement,and for making so many people buzz with excitement !! Thanks Amory for keeping us so well informed all through, and we love you all guys, just keep ticking off the legs in top form like this one. And that PUMA deserves a diamond collar!!
Apr 7 2012

john

From Stratford CT
Unbelievable yacht race, great job Kenny and Team Puma -- an amazing adventure and awesome way to close under pressure! Now firmly in the hunt and onto the next leg -- go get 'em!
Apr 7 2012

Jerry Sansom

From Cocoa, Flotida
An amazing finish to an amazing Leg. I can't imagine all that you guys have gone through during this last leg but just watching the video feeds and the boat blogs reinforces what compeditive sailing is all about, which is making the best use of what you are given and never say die until it's over. You had us sitting on the edges of our seat waiting to see what was coming next. Those last few days were spectacular. Get some rest and a few good meals and we'll see you in Miami.
Apr 7 2012

fernando

From weston CT
history making leg won by a star studded crew (armory, you are the best MCM in the business) - can't wait to buy you all a round at harbor court. EXCEPTIONAL EFFORT BOYS!
Apr 8 2012

Bear

From New York
OK . . . .Shore team, time to get cracking! The unseen and unsung heros that back up the sailors are on the stage now, Clear focus, Steady hands . . . get that big cat ready to run again. (maybe a little more food this time). Hope the sailors can get home to rest and recharge with family this layover. Safe travels and best working days to all.
Apr 8 2012

gianguido

Great job guys, so proud you should be. Yesterday i was in 30kn winds and 2m waves and I though of you...how you held in there for 3 weeks. Great job again
Apr 8 2012

Andi

Dear Puma Team, I toll you greatest respect for winning this leg of the race. I know how it feels to be unable to do anything about a competitor closing in on you since he has the better wind. I know it is frustrating and I can image the joy you must feel for still reaching the finish line first. I am looking forward to the next legs and hope to see more glad faces on board of puma!!
Apr 8 2012

Gledhill

From Yuma, Arizona
Beyond anyone's imagination...no human could have dreampt-up such a scenaio. It just doesn't penetrate as reality....
Apr 9 2012

Ice Princess

From Boston
Never say never, Kenny. Congratulations on winning the most challenging leg. Looking forward to your next leg.
Apr 9 2012

Michael Schultz

From Darmstadt, Hessen
Great job, Puma! I got to see you & the crew in Cape Town (was there on business). Too bad you didn't get to enjoy that stopover a little longer. Kenny makes this comment above: Probably my last foray into the Southern Ocean. So does this mean no more Volvo Ocean Races? Most likely any future VOR will go through the Southern Ocean - hate to see this but I can understand it well, with the family & other committments back home.
Apr 18 2012

Di Whiteside

From England
I don't know what I will do when the VOR finishes. I am hooked on Mar Mostro and in complete awe of Kenny and the crew. The southern ocean videos took my breath away. Sheer skill , grit and bravery. Good luck for a win to Miami, I am willing you all the way. See you in Galway!
Apr 24 2012