Barcelona World Race Day 1

Estrella Damm, Educación sin Fronteras, Mutua Madrileña
Credit
Cris Barredo / Latitud 42

Today was the start of the 1st Doublehanded non stop around the world race. 9 boats started off 6 new generation Open 60's, 8 all male teams, 1 co-ed team, 1 American in the crews, probably PRB favored and expectations of a sub 80 day passage. Winds were under 10 knots.

Hugo Boss' Andrew Cape says, ""10 knots is the most we expect to see for the next three days," commented Alex's co-skipper and world class navigator Andrew Cape. "It will be a slow passage to Gibraltar and according to the current forecast the first boats won t reach Gibraltar Rock until Wednesday evening, 14 November."

Educación sin Fronteras led over the start line. She is the fleet's oldest boat nee Kingfisher and Ellen Macarthur. After 2.5 miles she dropped to 9th and 9:56 back. Co-skipper Servanne Escoffier, at 26 is the youngest in the fleet. Macarthur was 23 when she started the 2000-2001 Vendee Globe.

Temenos has the only co-ed crew, further they are married. Perhaps I'm off on this but could the Southern Ocean be a romantic christmas spot for Wavre and Paret?

Note: Polling data is kept from the sailors and the public overnight in order to allow teams to make tactical breaks without their rivals watching their every move. T