IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month (IW3794-01)

Auckland, 15 March 2012 - The fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 from Sanya to Auckland involved a tactically demanding offshore challenge and has proved to be the most exciting stage of the race so far. After a stiffly contested leg, the Groupama sailing team claimed its first victory in an open-water stage. As Official Timekeeper, Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen awarded the prestigious trophy for its 24-hour Speed Record Challenge for the second, consecutive time to the crew of Puma Ocean Racing.

The fourth leg of the event likewise involved something unprecedented in the Volvo Ocean Race. Because of a typhoon warning in the South China Sea, the organizers decided to hold a provisional preliminary heat in Sanya Bay off the Chinese coast. Following the restart, almost all of the teams found their best form, and the final sprint to Auckland developed into an exciting finale. Groupama finally succeeded in taking the lead and was the first team to storm into Auckland Harbour last Saturday. Behind them, just short of a day before the expected arrival time, a nail-biting duel developed between three of the teams for second place, which Puma finally claimed for itself. The third team home was Telefónica, followed by Camper in fourth, while Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Sanya completed the leg in fifth and sixth place respectively. At the halfway stage of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012, it is still very much an open question whether overall leader Telefónica can hold on to its advantage in the remaining legs of the competition.

Welcome to Auckland
It has been 10 years since the race last visited the City of Sails and stopover bosses were guaranteeing a glorious return during the 10 days of celebrations. The race has visited Auckland on eight occasions since the first edition in 1973, but this is the first time it has been back since 2001- 2002. The sailing-crazy city of Auckland gave the teams an enthusiastic reception and a traditional Maori welcome. Their arrival in Auckland could almost be described as "sailing coming home", because virtually all the teams have at least one New Zealander on board. From Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, the team sponsored by IWC Schaffhausen, 38-year-old watch leader and native Kiwi Craig Satterthwaite is particularly happy to be there: "New Zealand's my home. I'm lucky enough to see lots of the rest of the world but each time I come back only confirms to me that it's a very special place. It's unique and I hope it stays that way." By now, the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 has reached the halfway stage. But a number of daunting challenges still lie ahead of the crews, as Craig Satterthwaite confirms: "This upcoming leg will be the toughest physically and mentally. The Southern Ocean is what this race is all about: there's no tougher challenge in offshore sailing. Period."

IWC 24-hour Speed Record Challenge
Watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen is Official Timekeeper of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 and sponsors the 24-hour Speed Record Challenge. The team that covers the greatest distance within a period of 24 hours in Halftime: IWC Schaffhausen and the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 in each leg is awarded the much-coveted trophy. After racking up 527.819 nautical miles, the crew of Puma took the IWC trophy for the fourth leg awarded by Edwin de Vries, Brand Manager Richemont Australia. The overall fastest time over the entire 8 months of the race will land each of the 11 members of the winning crew a Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph Edition "Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012". IWC Schaffhausen will present the watches to the winning crew at the end of the race in Galway, Ireland. The six teams will set sail on Sunday for the fifth leg. The route takes them 6,705 nautical miles to the Brazilian harbour town of Itajaí, where they are expected on 4 April 2012.
Follow the progress of the Volvo Ocean Race at:
www.volvooceanrace.com

Further information about Abu Dhabi Ocean
Racing can be found at:
www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com