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Richards sails into third place
CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- British yachtswoman Emma Richards has finished third in the second leg of the Around Alone circumnavigation race. The 28-year-old, in her 60 foot yacht Pindar, crossed the finishing line in Cape Town, South Africa, at 3.30 GMT on Thursday, having taken 30 days, 15 hours, 27 minutes and 13 seconds from Torbay, U.K. Bernard Stamm finished first and Thierry Dubois third in the fleet of seven Open 60 yachts. Six Open 50s are also competing. Richards is the only Briton and only woman in the nine-month five-leg race due to finish next summer in Newport, Rhode Island where it began. "I am exhausted but elated," she told the U.K Press Association. "I am happy to be here. I always knew I would make it but there were times when it was very hard. I've had one hell of a month at sea. "I've had a shower and a bath and I'm lying in bed - I have hardly moved." During the 6,880 nautical mile race Richards suffered serious technical problems. Last week she had to climb her 80 foot mast and spent four hours repairing the mainsail halyard in 25 knot winds. Richards managed the repair but lost her second place to Dubois in Solidaires. She also had to battle through gales and heavy seas at the start of the race. She said she was disappointed to lose her second spot after holding on to it for most of the race. "When I started this race my intention was for a podium finish. Coming third when I was in second place for so long is disappointing but overall I'm very happy." The sailors now have a rest in South Africa until December 14 when the third leg to New Zealand starts. Richards will spend the time repairing her boat. Richards finished the first leg from New York to Torbay in 13 days, 14 hours and six minutes to become the first woman to complete a solo west to east trans-Atlantic crossing in a monohull. She is third overall in the Around Alone.
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