Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Sea & See

Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Sea & See



A new chapter in history was started today when the inaugural Volvo Ocean
Race shifted from the planning and preparation stage to a fully fledged
professional round the world yacht race.

For every syndicate, the day started early with final preparations and
checks to ensure each yacht was ready to take on the first 7,350 nautical
mile leg to Cape Town, South Africa.

Each sail wardrobe was on deck to be counted by the measurers as only 17
are allowed to be taken onboard for any one leg. Seals were put on
anchors, chains and water tanks in order to prevent the crews shifting
certain gear around in the boat.

Ian Bailey Willmot, Chairman of the Race Organizing Committee and former
Race Director and competitor overlooked the scene, commenting that "When I
did it (the Whitbread) a long time ago the boats were much smaller and it
took me 43 days (to sail to Cape Town) at that time. This time it is very
similar to the last time."

As the clock started to count down the final hours for the start, it was
time to say farewell to families and loved ones. Fathers carried their
children on their shoulders down to the boats for the final hug for a
month with other partners all trying to hold back the tears in front of a
cast of thousands of well wishers.

Photo by Thierry Martinez / ASSA ABLOY

Photo by Thierry Martinez / ASSA ABLOY



But before the boats left for the start line, along with several thousand
well wishers and spectators in Ocean Village, the crews observed a minutes
silence in memory of the victims from the New York and Washington
atrocities. With crew members alone drawn from 15 nations and many more
represented in design and construction, plus a truly international
gathering of supporters, a world community showed unity in their thoughts
and prayers.

Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Sea & See

Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Sea & See



Finally the first boat to cast off the lines at 11.30hrs in Ocean Village
was Grant Dalton's Amer Sports One, followed by Lisa McDonald and her all
female crew on Amer Sports Too. When Assa Abloy left next with skipper Roy
Heiner on the wheel, the crew lined up on the spreaders with their
respective national flag in the hand. They youngest skipper was to follow
next, Knut Frostad, on djuice, the pink and black racing machine.
Next illbruck challenge let slip the dock lines with John Kostecki in
command and Bowman Tony Kolb nursing the white and green boat out of its
berth. They were followed shortly after by Briton Jez Fanstone on Newscorp
with previous race winner Ross Field as Navigator.

Gurra Krantz from Sweden on the bright green SEB followed right on and
the only one left to go was Tyco. They finally left the dockside to the
deafening cheer of many Tyco fans. Led by their Kiwi Skipper Kevin
Shoebridge the boat slipped out. All boats were accompanied by the songs
they have chosen to represent team spirit.

Out of Ocean Village they took their way down the river Itchen into the
Southampton Water to finally assemble in the middle of the Solent for the
start. In the Solent a start box and a corridor was set up, followed with
a corridor to get the fleet under way. Seven Police launches, ten Marshall
Ribs and two Police Ribs protected the fleet from hundreds of spectators
crafts, from larger power boats to sailing dinghies, the cruise ship
Galaxy and even a square rigger.

All the boats assembled on the Isle of Whight side of the starting line
and were fighting aggressively with Amer Sports One luffing illbruck for
clear air .

Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Sea & See

Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Sea & See



As the gun was fired by Prince Andrew it was Gunnar Krantz'sTeam SEB who
crossed the starting line first with the A5 reaching kite up in a 8 - 10
knot Northerly breeze, followed by Amer Sports One with Grant Dalton in
command and Dee Smith calling the shots. Third was News Corp, followed by
Tyco, djuice, illbruck and ASSA ABLOY. On Lisa Mc Donald's boat the kite
split right at the start line which immediately left them behind.
Replacement was at hand and set less than five minutes later putting the
all female crew in the position to chase the fleet.

See the official website at www.volvooceanrace.org