This evening the seven yacht fleet of the 2014 Volvo Ocean Race got underway
The seven yachts, in fact 65 foot One-Design racing yachts built to identical specifications, will sail the 2nd leg from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi. The distance is approximately 6,125 nautical miles (or 11,025 kilometers for the landlocked), which makes this leg the second longest of this year's event. Only the leg from Auckland, New Zealand to Itajai, Brazil will be longer at an estimated 6,776 nautical miles. The crew of eight and the onboard multi-media reporter will live for three weeks from packed rations, prepared in the smallest carbon fiber pantry you can imagine. The crews were excited to see Cape Town and there is not doubt they will be just as excited to leave their cramped, damp quarters by the time they reach Abu Dhabi. The race leaders are expected to arrive in Abu Dhabi around the 13th of December.
Cape Town was a great location to see the yachts up close and meet the crews!