Ericsson Racing Team (SE) - ERICSSON 4 CONTINUES TO WRESTLE FOR LEAD

ERICSSON 4 CONTINUES TO WRESTLE FOR LEAD

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (Feb. 18, 2009) - Ericsson Racing Team's
International crew continues to wage a one-on-one battle at the head
of the fleet on Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race.

As if stuck together by bungee cord, Ericsson 4 stretches out a bit
before Puma reels in the lost miles. This has played out over the
past three days, since the conditions have abated from the full-on
blow the first two nights of the leg bound for Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil.

At today's 1300 report, Ericsson 4 led Puma by 4 nautical miles.
Ericsson 4 was about 24 nautical miles east of Puma as they made a
course due southeast to the east of the northern Mariana Trench.

The International crew's lead is down from a peak of 9 miles at the
0408 report, but still better than the even pacing the two were
recorded as at last night's 1918 report.

"Racing-wise, things are going really well," said Ryan Godfrey,
bowman aboard Ericsson 4. "The boat loves these reaching conditions
and with every sched we gradually build our lead over the chasing Il
Mostro."

As the leaders cross the 20th parallel, the conditions have warmed
considerably from the first two nights. The leaders are still
anticipating reaching the northeasterly trade winds tomorrow or the
day after, but in the meantime they're taking an opportunity to pack
away some of the cold-weather gear for awhile, until they dive into
the Southern Ocean.

"Dry-out time aboard today," said Godfrey. "The temperature has
really made a change for the better and this afternoon has been a
great opportunity to pack up the double layer sleeping bags and
mattresses. It's also been nice to see all the condensation moisture
that forms throughout the boat start to evaporate away."

Life is similarly pleasant aboard Ericsson 3, which has been at sea
for all of the past seven days, save for two hours, after departing
Taiwan to complete Leg 4.

Firmly entrenched in third place, Ericsson 3 was pacing 142 nautical
miles behind the fleet leader. The Nordic crew has welcomed the two
newcomers with jokes and tales.

"There is good mood among the guys," said media crewman Gustav Morin.
"Everyone is joking, telling stories and laughing while we are trying
to make the boat go as fast as possible."

Newcomers Arve Roaas and Magnus Woxen are race veterans, but Roaas
has never sailed the VO 70 before. Woxen did the last race as a
member of Ericsson Racing Team.

"The VO 70s are better in every way," said Roaas. "They're a lot
quicker and actually a bit drier, under deck that is. And if the
swing keel system is as reliable as I hear it is, it's a lot better
than the water ballast system."

VOLVO OCEAN RACE LEG 5 LEADERBOARD
(Feb. 18, 2009, 1321 GMT)
1. Ericsson 4, +10,886 nautical miles to finish
2. Puma, +4 NM
3. Ericsson 3, +142 NM
4. Green Dragon, +207 NM
5. Telefónica Blue, +284 NM

ENDS

For today's vodcast from Chris Bedford, Ericsson Racing Team's
meteorologist see
http://www.r2prod.net/ERT/folders/FLASH_FILES/preview.php?video=videos/BEDFORD_WX

ERICSSON 4 CONTINUES TO WRESTLE FOR LEAD

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (Feb. 18, 2009) - Ericsson Racing Team's International crew continues to wage a one-on-one battle at the head of the fleet on Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race.

As if stuck together by bungee cord, Ericsson 4 stretches out a bit before Puma reels in the lost miles. This has played out over the past three days, since the conditions have abated from the full-on blow the first two nights of the leg bound for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

At today's 1300 report, Ericsson 4 led Puma by 4 nautical miles. Ericsson 4 was about 24 nautical miles east of Puma as they made a course due southeast to the east of the northern Mariana Trench.

The International crew's lead is down from a peak of 9 miles at the 0408 report, but still better than the even pacing the two were recorded as at last night's 1918 report.

"Racing-wise, things are going really well," said Ryan Godfrey, bowman aboard Ericsson 4. "The boat loves these reaching conditions and with every sched we gradually build our lead over the chasing Il Mostro."

As the leaders cross the 20th parallel, the conditions have warmed considerably from the first two nights. The leaders are still anticipating reaching the northeasterly trade winds tomorrow or the day after, but in the meantime they're taking an opportunity to pack away some of the cold-weather gear for awhile, until they dive into the Southern Ocean.

"Dry-out time aboard today," said Godfrey. "The temperature has really made a change for the better and this afternoon has been a great opportunity to pack up the double layer sleeping bags and mattresses. It's also been nice to see all the condensation moisture that forms throughout the boat start to evaporate away."

Life is similarly pleasant aboard Ericsson 3, which has been at sea for all of the past seven days, save for two hours, after departing Taiwan to complete Leg 4.

Firmly entrenched in third place, Ericsson 3 was pacing 142 nautical miles behind the fleet leader. The Nordic crew has welcomed the two newcomers with jokes and tales.

"There is good mood among the guys," said media crewman Gustav Morin. "Everyone is joking, telling stories and laughing while we are trying to make the boat go as fast as possible."

Newcomers Arve Roaas and Magnus Woxen are race veterans, but Roaas has never sailed the VO 70 before. Woxen did the last race as a member of Ericsson Racing Team.

"The VO 70s are better in every way," said Roaas. "They're a lot quicker and actually a bit drier, under deck that is. And if the swing keel system is as reliable as I hear it is, it's a lot better than the water ballast system."

VOLVO OCEAN RACE LEG 5 LEADERBOARD

(Feb. 18, 2009, 1321 GMT)

1. Ericsson 4, +10,886 nautical miles to finish

2. Puma, +4 NM

3. Ericsson 3, +142 NM

4. Green Dragon, +207 NM

5. Telefónica Blue, +284 NM