By JULIE ASH
The warm clothes are back for the cold journey from Annapolis to La Rochelle in the seventh leg of the round-the-world race which starts on Monday.
The 3400-nautical-mile journey takes the fleet from Chesapeake Bay back into the Gulf stream where it will head north, encountering icebergs before
heading into the Bay of Biscay in France.
Assa Abloy's trimmer, Aucklander Richard Mason, said that after the warmth of the tropics he was not looking forward to venturing back into the cold.
"It is going to be a bit of a shock to the system," he said.
"It could possibly be a very cold and foggy leg."
The shortest path is the great circle route, which takes the fleet 49 degrees north then south to approach the finish in France from the north-west.
But by following this route the fleet runs into the risk of unfavourable head winds and icebergs.
The race committee is studying ice reports, and will set a course which will prevent the fleet steering into ice.
Mason said the start would be one of the hardest parts of the race.
"It is tricky to get out of Chesapeake Bay - it could take a whole day.
"If a boat gets caught in light air, then the others could work up a substantial lead."
After six of the nine legs, illbruck have the overall lead with a total of 41 points.
Assa Abloy are second on 34, Amer Sports One have 32 and News Corp 31.
Tyco follow with 27, djuice and SEB have 21 and Amer Sports Too 9.
"Illbruck are beatable, they haven't won a leg in the last two, but they are in an exceptionally good position," Mason said.
"However, racing has just become so tight it is crazy."
At the other end of the table, Amer Sport Too's Keryn Henderson said the all-female crew were improving in each leg.
"We want to beat some of the guys.
"We have come close to heading djuice and Tyco, so we know we can do it.
"The boat is in really good shape. The crew is good and we are looking forward to getting out there and hooning around again."
Competing in her second round-the-world race, Henderson, of Auckland, said she did not mind the cold weather.
"I prefer it," she said. "The cold usually means good wind and big waves."
The fleet is expected to reach La Rochelle on May 11.
About the round-the-world race
Competitor profiles
Current standings
Previous winners
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