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BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE - GROUP 4 WINS FIRST LEG OF WORLD'S TOUGHEST YACHT RACE Southampton (UK), Friday 25th October 1996 The first leg of the BT Global Challenge has been won by Group 4. The yacht, skippered by Mike Golding, crossed the finish line in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) at 14.52 hrs 15 seconds GMT today, Friday 25th October, completing the first leg in 26 days 3 hrs 47 minutes and 15 seconds (time subject to verification). The 14 identical 67 foot steel yachts competing in the BT Global Challenge set off from Southampton (UK) on Sunday 29th September, racing around the world the wrong way (i.e. against the prevailing winds and currents). Rio de Janeiro is the first port of call for the race, which will be visiting four continents and five countries before returning to the UK in July 1997. Group 4 has completed the 5,000 mile journey from Southampton to Rio in record time; during the last Challenge, held in 1992/3, the fastest time over this leg was recorded by British Steel II, who logged 29 days, 2 hours and 38 minutes. By winning this leg, Group 4 has also won the first Courtaulds trophy of the BT Global Challenge, awarded to the winning crew on each of the six legs. Each of the six Courtaulds trophies is customised and bears a plaque to show which leg of the race has been won; the trophy won by Golding and his crew was presented to them on their arrival today at the Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club by Robert Wall, Director of Trade and Retail, Courtaulds International. Said Chay Blyth, world-famous transatlantic yachtsman and founder of the BT Global Challenge: "This event was designed to encourage people to challenge the sea, the elements and their own limitations; the crew of Goup 4 has won the first leg with an outstanding show of yachtsmanship and teamwork, and I congratulate them on their victory". Mike Golding took part in the first Challenge as skipper of the Group 4 yacht, which finished in second place overall. He and his crew, along with the rest of the BT Global Challenge fleet, will be setting sail on Wednesday November 20th from Rio de Janerio to embark upon the second leg, sailing 7,000 miles to Wellington (New Zealand). For updated information on the BT Global Challenge : The yachts positions and estimated arrival times are currently being updated on the internet and fax database every two hours. Internet site : http://www.btchallenge.com Fax database : 0990 321123 (+44 990 321123 from outside UK) Recorded telephone information line : 0891 505550 (UK only) Public information line : 01703 212124 (+44 1703 212124 from outside UK) Ceefax page 359 (UK only) |
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Copyright British Telecommunications plc 1996.
Notices| (i) | Copyright British Telecommunications plc 1996. |
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