Source: CCTV.com

10-17-2008 10:13

Team Puma broke from the pack to take the lead after the first leg of the vaunted Volvo Ocean Race between Spain and South Africa.

Volvo Ocean Race Puma Racing Team (R) races past Telefonica Blue after the start of leg one between Alicante and Capetown, in Alicante, October 11, 2008.REUTERS/Heino Kalis (SPAIN)
Volvo Ocean Race Puma Racing Team (R) races past Telefonica
Blue after the start of leg one between Alicante and Capetown,
in Alicante, October 11, 2008.REUTERS/Heino Kalis (SPAIN)

Two Team Eriksson boats are in close pursuit, with Green Dragon, Delta Lloyd and Team Russia just behind - as crews battled some heavy weather in the race down the Atlantic.

Telefonica Blue had a terrible start. The crew suffered steering problems and they were forced to stop near Gibraltar for urgent repairs, leaving them well adrift of the pack.

Team Puma, skippered by Ken Read, took full advantage and streaked ahead, at one point covering over 390 nautical miles in just 24 hours. But the two Eriksson boats are in close pursuit.

Green Dragon, Delta Lloyd and Team Russia complete the top five. The next leg sees the boats travel from Cape Town, South Africa, to the Indian Ocean port of Cochin.