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BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE - EXCITMENT IN SYDNEY HARBOUR AS YACHTS GET OFF TO A FLYING START Southampton (UK), Sunday 2nd March 1997 At 02:30 hrs GMT (13:30 hrs local time) the 14 yachts of the BT Global Challenge round the world yacht race set off in a very crowded harbour, on the fourth leg from Sydney (Australia), at the start of their voyage to Cape Town (South Africa). As the yachts approached the very short start line they were forced to tack before it. First across the line was Heath Insured II and Nuclear Electric, closely followed by Courtaulds International. Commercial Union and Group 4 were seen to crash into each other. Commercial Union were on starboard, but they were tacking at the time. They were given a PMS, which requires a 720 degree penalty turn after Hornby Light. Tacking against northeasterly winds of 10 - 15 knots, the yachts headed towards Shark Island which they left to starboard. Sydney Harbour was awash with spectator boats on this warm and humid afternoon. Several helicopters circled overhead and it seemed that every person with a boat in Sydney had decided to see the crews off on this, the next epic leg. Luckily the sun was out, with only slight cloud cover, to complement the amazing atmosphere in the harbour Heath Insured II and Courtaulds International were neck and neck as they led the fleet past Shark Island. Whilst Group 4, Pause to Remember, Save the Children, Time & Tide and Global Teamwork brought up the rear. In the middle of the fleet Concert were neck and neck with Ocean Rover, followed by Commercial Union, 3Com, Motorola and Toshiba Wave Warrior. As they headed towards South Head/Hornby Point Group 4, Toshiba Wave Warrior and Pause to Remember were hugging the north shore whilst Courtaulds International, Concert, Commercial Union and Heath Insured II were tacking nearer to the south side, with both Courtaulds International and Concert sailing on a good line. Courtaulds International were first round the South Reef Inflatable buoy followed by Concert who pinched round. They were greeted with loud cheers and hooters from the crowds gathered on the South Head and the many spectator boats and yachts following the fleet out of the harbour. The order of the other yachts round the buoy was Commercial Union, Heath Insured II, Pause to Remember, Save the Children and Group 4, Toshiba Wave Warrior, Nuclear Electric, 3Com, Motorola, Ocean Rover, Time & Tide and Global Teamwork. The fleet were hoping to hoist their spinnakers as they rounded the South Reed Inflatable buoy to take full advantage of the northeasterly winds. However, as they left the shelter of the Sydney Harbour heading out into the Tasman Sea, they encountered southeasterly winds and were unable to raise them. The fleet are at present heading down the coast of New South Wales as they sail through the Tasman Sea tacking against the southeasterly winds. Still leading the fleet is Courtaulds International. Commercial Union, Nuclear Electric and Group 4 have all complete their 720 degree penalty turns. For updated information on the BT Global Challenge : 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 enquiry bureau : 01703 212124 (+44 1703 212124 from outside UK) Ceefax page 388 (UK only) |
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