WindWhisper Racing Team stretched their lead at the top of the table as the fleet returned for the second stage of the VO65 Sprint.

It's two wins in a row for the team, after a victory in stage one from Alicante to Cabo Verde in January.

"Of course it's important to get the win and with Team JAJO in third place, this gives us a little bit of breathing space heading into the final race to Genova," said skipper Pablo Arrarte. 

"It was a very challenging leg - we had everything you would expect in a long race packed into three days. I'm proud of the team and happy with the result."

The Mirpuri-Trifork Racing Team took a well-earned second place over the local heroes on Team JAJO, with Austrian Ocean Racing-Team Genova ahead of Viva Mexico. 

"It's good to be home," said Team JAJO skipper Jelmer van Beek. "It has been a short and hectic three day race. Awesome to arrive for this home crowd and to be cheered on by all the boats out on the water and all the fans in the harbour. We even had some spectator boats already following us from IJmuiden which was really magnificent. Now it’s time for some beers, food from my mom and a short sleep!"

WindWhisper Racing Team has now opened up a three point margin on the VO65 Sprint leaderboard, but the standings behind are very close and the Grand Finale leg into Genova will be decisive. 

VO65 Scoreboard after Stage 2:
1. WindWhisper Racing Team -- 12 points
2. Team JAJO -- 9 points
3. Austrian Ocean Racing powered by Team Genova -- 7 points
4. Mirpuri/Trifork Racing Team -- 5 points
5. Viva México -- 4 points
6. Ambersail 2 -- 3 points

Image: Sailing Energy /The Ocean Race