WindWhisper win VO65 Sprint Cup after dominant showing on final leg as they arrive in Genova with huge lead

WindWhisper were crowned VO65 Sprint Cup champions at The Ocean Race 2022/23 after a dominant victory in the final leg.

The Polish team, skippered by Daryl Wislang, finished in 10 days, 23 hours, 17 minutes and 52 seconds to make it three wins from three legs.

They built such a commanding advantage that the rest of the VO65 fleet are not expected into the finish in Genova until Tuesday.

“Very worthy winners in WindWhisper,” Ocean Race chairman Richard Brisius told Eurosport.

“They sailed very well, especially this leg. You saw how they came out of the English Channel and got that two or three mile gap and then managed to get into the new wind, went around the south-west corner of Portugal and built an enormous lead, which is rare in this race, and rare in sailing.

“Congratulations to them.”

WindWhisper arrived in Genova at around 11.30am UK time on Monday.

Second-placed Viva Mexico still had 131 nautical miles until the finish when WindWhisper crossed the line.

Team JAJO are currently second in the overall standings on nine points.

WindWhisper are on 18 points after a perfect record across the three legs.

“We had a great race down and the team did a great job,” WindWhisper skipper Wislang told Eurosport.

“It’s a huge pleasure to sail with everyone and we are super stoked to be here in Genova.”

The IMOCA fleet are also expected to arrive on Tuesday.

The hearing could determine who wins the IMOCA class.

Holcim-PRB are currently in second place on 31 points, two points behind leaders 11th Hour Racing Team.