The Volvo Ocean Race has claimed its first victim after Saturday's start at Alicante, Spain.Telefonica Blue, skippered by Bouwe Bekking's team became the first to endure problems. Just 20 miles into the first leg, Bekking reported they had broken a tiller arm and were down to one rudder, and while their cautious course along Spanish coast proved advantageous in the softening breeze, the team officially suspended racing near Gibraltar at 18:53:26 GMT Sunday night to undertake repairs, a decision that will cost them a 12-hour penalty before they can resume racing.
Also, taking the northern route out the Mediterranean Sea were the two Ericsson boats, helping them to build a 30 mile lead in front of the fleet as they passed by Gibraltar on Sunday. However, since entering the Atlantic, the Ericsson boats have slowed considerably, providing a near even race amongst the top five teams at press time. The length of Leg One is 6500nm, with teams expected to finish by the first week in November.
www.volvooceanrace.org
Yachting Monthly, 13 October 2008
