‘How good was that!’ David Witt brings Hong Kong’s Scallywag home for a historic victory in Volvo Ocean Race
Australian and his crew sail into Kai Tak Terminal after a miraculous victory in the fourth leg from Melbourne to Hong Kong, turning a 90-mile deficit into unlikely glory
Skipper David Witt’s prayers were answered but truth was when Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag sailed into Victoria Harbour and to a historic victory in the fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race in the early hours of Saturday morning it was thanks to sheer human talent.
“How good was that?” Witt said soon after Scallywag crossed the finish line. “It’s pretty hard to describe the feelings. So happy for the team bosses ... we did it brother. All friends and supporters are here in Hong Kong. It doesn’t get better than this. Look at Hong Kong harbour tonight. Fantastic!”
He added: “No one gave us a chance and the only ones who gave us a chance was us and we’re going to keep getting off the floor and keep doing this.”
“This is going to mean a lot to a lot of different people but the most important for us is the team owners. We are a privately owned team and Mr Lee Seng Huang has been great. Not just the money but his passion and enthusiasm and his vision for what he wants to do for sailing in Hong Kong and Scallywag globally is very special.
“He deserves this and we are proud of be part of the team to make his vision come true. Winning is massive for Scallywag going forward.”
Vestas 11th Hour Racing, meanwhile, was heading for second place but reported that they had been in a collision with another vessel with about 30 miles to go. It allowed China’s Dongfeng Race Team to overtake Vestas. A statement from Volvo Ocean Race organisers said all crew aboard Vestas were safe and no other details were available.
