Skippers up the pace

SAILING: The fleet of the Volvo Ocean Race all entered the perilous Southern Ocean yesterday, with ABN AMRO One skippered by New Zealander Mike Sanderson still holding a slender lead.

Sailing downwind and riding on the face of big swell the entrants have picked up the pace in the last 24 hours although the risks have also multiplied.

ABN AMRO One, winner of the first leg from Spain to South Africa, is a mere 16 miles in front of Paul Cayard's Pirates of the Caribbean.

The threat of icebergs has increased since the last race four years ago with many large chunks of ice being been seen further north.

The boats are sailing in an easterly direction between 42 and 43 degrees south but in a quest for speed some might decide to head further south where the winds are stronger.