Photo of Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) boats slicing through the fog after the start in Cape Town:
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<br>From todays Scuttlebutt:
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<br>SCUTTLEBUTT No. 942 - November 12, 2001
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<br>major significance; commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with
<br>a North American emphasis. Corrections, contributions, press releases,
<br>constructive criticism and contrasting viewpoints are always welcome, but
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<br>VOLVO OCEAN RACE
<br>The wind Gods were smiling today for the start of the 6,550 nautical mile
<br>leg two of the Volvo Ocean Race to Sydney, providing spectacular sailing
<br>conditions in Table Bay, under the watchful gaze of Table Mountain. A
<br>freshening westerly 24-knot breeze blew out of a clear and cloudless blue
<br>sky, declaring a true beat to windward towards the 200-metre wide gate set
<br>three miles to the west, 2000 metres offshore northwest of Green Point.
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<br>Once out in Table Bay, the eight-strong fleet, set up with full mainsail,
<br>number one jib and full water-ballast, jostled for position in the starting
<br>area which was positioned approximately 500 metres to the north west of Cape
<br>Town Harbour entrance, with two blue and yellow Volvo buoys as inner
<br>distance and outer distance marks.
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<br>At the ten-minute gun, fired by Robert Norrman, managing director of Volvo
<br>Cars South Africa, a large fog bank was seen on the horizon, temperatures
<br>dropping rapidly. Two hundred spectator boats were pushing close to the
<br>fleet, churning up a huge wash, while above, eight helicopters circled like
<br>vultures.
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<br>The whole fleet made a clean start on starboard tack with djuice choosing
<br>the favourable pin end of the line, next to the breakwater. Tyco was the
<br>first boat to tack onto port, the rest of the fleet followed, forced by the
<br>shoreline to tack out. Djuice continued to work the shoreline, sailing into
<br>clear air, Amer Sports One and News Corp hard on her heels, with illbruck
<br>and Assa Abloy covering each other. The wind dropped to 10 knots as the
<br>fleet sailed into the fog bank, but the fight continued, the lead changing
<br>with every tack, Amer Sports One losing precious distance as she bore away
<br>hard to give way to illbruck now back on starboard tack.
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<br>News Corp was the first Volvo 60 to reach the gate, three miles up the race
<br>track, followed by illbruck 30 seconds behind her and djuice 5 seconds
<br>behind illbruck. SEB rounded one minute behind djuice with Assa Abloy right
<br>on her transom 10 seconds behind. There was a gap of one minute 20 seconds
<br>before Tyco turned through the gate followed by Amer Sports One five seconds
<br>behind her and Amer Sports Too a further two minutes 10 seconds later.
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<br>The fleet continued to sail on the wind, the wind still decreasing, News
<br>Corp was leading illbruck, djuice, SEB and Assa Abloy inshore on starboard
<br>tack, while Tyco, Amer Sports One and Amer Sports Too opted for offshore
<br>route on port tack.
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<br>Positions at 1600 GMT Sunday November 11:
<br>1. Tyco - 6474 miles to finish
<br>2. Amer Sports One - 6474
<br>3. djuice dragons - 6475
<br>4. illbruck - 6475
<br>5. News Corp - 6475
<br>6. Team SEB - 6476
<br>7. Amer Sports Two - 6476
<br>8. ASSA ABLOY - 6479
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<br>Event site: http://www.volvooceanrace.org
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<br>Daniel Forster took an incredible photo of the fleet slicing through the
<br>fog, see:
<br>http://www.boats.com/common/display...published%2Fimages%2Fse_vorleg2start.jpg<br><br>