Seven yachts competing in the gruelling around-the-world Volvo Ocean Race set sail from Cape Town on Monday in light winds for the second and most dangerous leg of the global dash.
A shot from the starter’s cannon at 1pm local time signalled the start of the 6 100-nautical-mile leg in which racers will negotiate hazards such as icebergs, whales and freezing waters, said race spokesperson Ronelda Visser.
”Hundreds of spectators turned out to see off the sailors, who had a slow start due to the fact that the winds are not very strong at the moment,” Visser said.
Along the southern route, the teams will have two chances of picking up points at waypoints in the Kerguelen Islands, located midway between Africa, Antarctica and Australia, and Eclipse Island off the western Australian coast.
Race organisers have added two additional waypoints that will require crews sailing the world’s fastest monohulls to dip north and hopefully steer them clear of icebergs.
”Hitting an iceberg at the speed of 30 knots will be disastrous,” said Visser, adding that Australian Antarctic observers have already sent warning of a huge iceberg measuring about 24km long and 12km wide.
Leading the 32 000-nautical-mile race is Team ABN Amro One, skippered by New Zealander Mike Sanderson with 15 points, followed by Torben Grael’s Team Brasil 1 on 12,5 points and Team ABN Amro Two under the captaincy of France’s Sebastien Josse.
The first yacht is expected to dock in Melbourne on about January 16. — Sapa-AFP