Nico Budel arrives in Cape Town

1:25 AM Tue 25 Nov 2008 GMT

'Nico - Portimao Global Ocean Race' Brian Hancock

In a break from a long tradition of finishing races in the middle of the night, Dutch sailor Nico Budel sailed into Cape Town just as a pink sky lit the eastern horizon.

The last few miles were, however, a long and painfully slow finish to the leg as the last bit of wind disappeared leaving a glassy sea and Nico's yacht, Hayai, bobbing on a leftover slop. By the time he crossed the finish line at 09:37:31 UTC (11:37:31 local time) the sun was high in the sky blazing down on a near perfect Cape Town morning. Nico lit a flare as he crossed the finish line raising his arms in relief. He returned to land looking as if he had just come back from a nice relaxing cruise rather than 43 days of hard, open ocean sailing.

'I enjoyed this race very much,' he said. 'The sailing has been great and the boat also did a good job. We have no problems. Some work on the autopilot and we need a sailmaker but other than that things are good.'

Nico sailed a near perfect leg from Portim?o at times racing neck and neck with the South Africa team aboard Kazimir Partners, and at other times on his own course at his own pace. Nothing seemed to ruffle the 69 year old sailor as he took each new day in stride relishing the beauty of the open ocean, and rising to each challenge.

'It's been a long time since I have been able to relax and enjoy being at sea and taking time to admire the sunrises and sunsets and enjoying the feel of the boat. It was just great. Just great,' he said.

With the arrival of Hayai the solo division of the leg is completed with Roaring Forty already tied to the dock at the Royal Cape Yacht Club. The remaining yacht still out racing is Kazimir Partners. At the 12:20 UTC poll on Monday the South African team of Lenjohn and Peter Van Der Wel were 295 miles from Cape Town. They are expected to arrive Wednesday.

portimaorace.com

by Brian Hancock

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Nico Budel arrives in Cape Town

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