The Volvo Ocean Race boats are in the sixth month of a round-the-world race and are in the middle of a three-week stopover in the Chesapeake. During the overall race, crews gain points in a variety of ways, including completing legs, going through scoring gates in the ocean and competing in, in-port races. So far there have been five in-port races yesterday’s was the only one to be sailed in U.S. waters. 

The stakes were high yesterday with 1.5 points separating the second, third and fourth boats. "We all fight tooth and nail for every point we can get, or every half-point," said Stu Bannatyne, aboard Movistar.

The racecourse was about 17 miles from the Inner Harbor in downtown Baltimore, where the seven boats are docked until Thursday. The boats began leaving the docks about 8:30 a.m. and motored for two hours to get to the deep waters in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay where the course was set.

A mix of spectator powerboats, multilevel cruisers, tall ships and sailboats bobbed in place at either end of the course. Coast Guard vessels zipped among them. Passengers onboard squinted and peered through binoculars, occasionally clapping and cheering.

"The largest group of vessels sprawled near the course's southern side," said Maryland Natural Resources Police Capt. Lloyd Ingerson. Another pack of on looking boats sat at the northern end, and a few followed the racers from afar. "Everything went very smoothly," Ingerson said

The wind conditions shifty and at 10 knots, were not ideal for the 70-foot yachts, which are designed for windier conditions.

However, for Movistar, which has been beset by major equipment failures throughout the race and has withdrawn from two legs, yesterday turned out to be a splendid day for sailing. The crew handily won the race, finishing 5 1/2 minutes ahead of second-place Brasil 1. At one point the Movistar crew used binoculars to see what people were doing on the boats behind.

A shotgun fired as Movistar crossed the new line and a race official pulled up next to the boat to hand over a green winner's flag. Sailors shook hands and embraced. Bekking left the wheel while he congratulated his crew. As the yacht sailed though layers of spectator boats, peopled yelled, "Good job, guys!" and waved.

At one point the Movistar crew used binoculars to see what people were doing on the boats behind. The boats went around the course three times and, with the wind slowing to 5 knots, the race committee decided to end the competition during the third downwind leg.