The Ocean Race: Team JAJO turn in another fine display on home waters as they lead VO65 Stage 3 Sprint to Genova

ByRob Hemingway

Updated 15/06/2023 at 12:56 GMT

Can anyone stop Team JAJO on the VO65 Stage 3 Sprint? After their In-Port race win on Wednesday, momentum appeared to be once again with the Dutch boat on Thursday as they headed the field on its way out of The Hague as they make their way to Genova for the culmination of The Ocean Race 2022-23. Team JAJO will need to make up three points on WindWhisper Racing Team if they want to take the title.

It was another fine display from Dutch boat Team JAJO on home waters as they were the first out of the exit gate in The Hague during the VO65 Stage 3 Sprint.

It caps an impressive few days for Team JAJO after they won the In-Port race in The Hague on Wednesday, as The Ocean Race nears its Grand Finale for 2022-23.

On another calm, sun-drenched day out on the North Sea, the early stages were hotly contested as overall leaders WindWhisper Racing Team kept three of their competing boats in a holding pen of sorts, as they sought to take the lead at the start of the leg.

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But they were facing a battle with Team JAJO, who were fighting tooth and nail to get themselves at the head of the field.

This was only the first few miles of a tough 2,200 nautical mile leg, but no one was interested in ceding position, with Team JAJO managing to plot the best course around the two-lap windward-leeward circuit and establish a 300-metre lead after just one lap.

As the Leeward Gate approached, Team JAJO consolidated their lead as they sought to pick the right line, with their closest pursuers WindWhisper Racing Team and slightly further behind Austrian Ocean Racing powered by Team Genova.

'Team JAJO in trouble here!' - Watch the dramatic start of the final VO65 Sprint of The Ocean Race

"This is leaving your home waters in style," Niall Myant-Best said on Eurosport commentary, assessing Team JAJO's dominant display to that point as they led past Gate 3, and they kept their advantage as they sailed out of the exit gate first.

Speaking onboard, skipper Jelmer Van Beek said: "Super nice start. So many people outside again - it keeps amazing me.

"First place, so good job by the crew - let's head to Genova!"

As part of the VO65 Stage 3 Sprint, the teams will take in the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea en route to north-west Italy.

STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 3 START

1. Team JAJO
2. WindWhisper Racing Team
3. Austrian Ocean Racing powered by Team Genova
4. Mirpuri-Trifork Racing Team
5. Viva Mexico

Overall standings can be found here.

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Stream The Ocean Race live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

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