By JULIE ASH
The local boys led the way in the early stages of the fourth leg of the round-the-world race, from Auckland to Rio de Janeiro.
News Corp, co-skippered by Aucklander Ross Field, had a narrow lead over the fleet last night.
Tyco and SEB were second and third, followed by
djuice, Amer Sports One, Assa Abloy, illbruck and Amer Sports Too.
Thousands of spectators lined Auckland's Viaduct Basin to farewell the eight-boat fleet in overcast conditions.
At the start-line, just off North Head, the largest spectator fleet seen so far in the nine-leg race watched the yachts jostle for position. At the gun, fired by Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright, the fleet made a start on starboard reaching in a 16-knot north-easterly.
Tyco, skippered by Aucklander Kevin Shoebridge, was first over the line, followed by SEB, Grant Dalton's Amer Sports One, News Corp and illbruck.
At the first turning point, four miles into the race, Tyco held its lead over illbruck, Amer Sports One and SEB.
The fleet hoisted No 2 headsails and mainsails, ploughing through the choppy conditions into the rising 17-knot breeze.
Tyco was first around the second mark, leading the fleet into the open waters towards the Southern Ocean.
Dalton was second around the mark, just 28s behind Tyco. Illbruck was next, 34s behind the leader and SEB followed 5s later.
News Corp led the trailing pack, 1m 25s behind Tyco, followed by djuice, Assa Abloy and Amers Sports Too.
However, as the rest of the fleet tacked onto port and headed out to sea, News Corp remained on starboard.
They hoisted a lighter-airs reaching jib and moved into a lifting sea breeze to grab the lead.
"As we approached Whangaparaoa, we spotted a good sea-breeze," Field said.
"We headed for it, leaving the rest of the fleet to tack out of our way.
"There was good clean air and smoother seas and we're now in first place.
"[Navigator/tactician] Steve Cotton did a great job, and Jeff Scott was working hard on the helm," he said.
The wind is expected to remain at 15 to 20 knots from the east as the fleet heada south.
The yachts are expected to reach Rio around February 19.
About the round-the-world race
Competitor profiles
Current standings
Previous winners
Volvo Ocean Adventure
Yachting: Local skippers show the way
By JULIE ASH
The local boys led the way in the early stages of the fourth leg of the round-the-world race, from Auckland to Rio de Janeiro.
News Corp, co-skippered by Aucklander Ross Field, had a narrow lead over the fleet last night.
Tyco and SEB were second and third, followed by
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