Yachting: Tyco takes Volvo race lead out of Auckland

2:00 pm

Kiwi-skippered Team Tyco had a flying start to the fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race when the eight 60-footers left Auckland at 1 pm today en route to Rio de Janeiro.

The Kevin Shoebridge skippered Tyco led the fleet out into the open sea, followed by Team SEB, Amer Sports One and illbruck Challenge.

At last report djuice had split from the fleet and was gathering speed, followed by News Corp, Amer Sports Too and ASSA ABLOY.

The yachts' course takes them north along the east coast of Northland, past two buoys, before they turn east toward Cape Horn off Toroa Point, north of Torbay.

The forecast easterly breeze of 20 knots would put the boats onto an upwind course - at which point the boats are expected to scatter.

The Rio de Janeiro leg of the race - billed as one of the toughest legs in the nine month long ocean Grand Prix - is expected to last three and half weeks.

Earlier today the Reverend Roger Hill - along with representatives of Ngati Whatua - blessed the fleet.

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Volvo Ocean Adventure