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BT GLOBAL CHALLENGE - COURTAULDS INTERNATIONAL STORMS HER WAY UP THE FLEET Southampton (UK), Saturday 15th February 1997 At 22:08 hrs (GMT) on Saturday 15th February, the yachts of the BT Global Challenge round the world race had once again found some wind, which was carrying them towards the end of the third leg in Sydney (Australia). Save the Children had maintained the lead she stole from Group 4 just less than 12 hours ago, when the majority of the fleet were becalmed. Due to Save the Children's northerly position, she caught enough wind to carry on sailing at a reasonable pace. Save the Children is now only 77 miles from the finish line. The major success story of the day, however, is Courtaulds International, who in the last 12 hours has leapt from 11th to 6th to 2nd place, where she is currently sailing only seven miles behind Save the Children. Courtaulds International made the decision to take a more northerly route than all the other yachts on day one of this leg. As the fleet left the Cook Strait heading out into the Tasman Sea, Courtaulds International had already taken up this northern position. This was a decision Boris Webber, skipper of Courtaulds International made in the hope that the yacht would catch more favourable winds and currents. For the first six days Courtaulds International remained among the last three yachts, but at last Boris' tactics have given the crew the lead they have longed for. Courtaulds International has had a string of bad luck in the first two legs of the BT Global Challenge, finishing in the last three on both legs. The crew will be overjoyed with their current position. Eleven miles behind Save the Children is Global Teamwork in third place, who has held onto her place in the top three, she is closely followed by previous leader Group 4, who is hanging on to fourth place. The fleet is once again spread over a 50 mile distance from the front yacht to Time & Tide at the back, who is still caught in the unfavourable winds that the fleet experienced earlier today. Although the winds are not strong, approximately 3-5 knots blowing from the north east, they should be enough to carry all the yachts into Sydney Harbour by the end of today. Save the Children is predicted to arrive shortly after 09.00 hrs (GMT) this morning, an hour before Courtaulds International. At this current rate the remainder of the fleet will cross the finishline off Sydney Opera House sometime before 17:10 hrs (GMT). The next update on the race news will be released tomorrow morning. For further information on the arrival of the fleet, please consult the estimated arrival times chart. 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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