11.10am
LONDON - The Volvo Ocean fleet set off for the eighth and penultimate stage of the round-the-world yacht race on Saturday but the start was one to forget for Assa Abloy.
Neal McDonald's crew, in overall second place, became attached to a race marker and could not cross the line, leaving
them 10 minutes behind their opponents.
They eventually cut the rope and carried out the prerequisite 360 degree penalty turn for snagging a buoy.
Overall leaders illbruck Challenge, skippered by John Kostecki, were the first across the line but were soon passed by Amer Sports One.
At 1907 GMT Grant Dalton's Amer Sports One held a slight lead over Team Tyco, who were one mile ahead of illbruck.
The start was greeted by a fireworks display.
The 1,075 nautical mile leg to Gothenburg is expected to be a highly tactical affair, with stretches along the coasts mixed with racing in the busy Channel and North Sea. Stormy weather has also been forecast for the next few days along the Brittany coast.
The race, previously called the Whitbread, began in Southampton in England on September 23, 2001 and is due to finish in Kiel in Germany around June 9.
German-backed illbruck will take an unbeatable lead in the event if they finish ahead of second-placed Assa Abloy on the penultimate stage.
- REUTERS
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Volvo Ocean Adventure
