Ocean Race: Sailor Boris Herrmann starts the "monster stage"

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Boris Herrmann's »Malizia – Seaexplorer«

Photo:

Sebastien Salom-Gomis / AFP

The toughest stage of the Ocean Race is underway.

The third and historically longest leg of the circumnavigation started on Sunday in Cape Town, South Africa.

The first hours of the nearly 24,000 kilometer section were characterized by extremely variable winds and technical problems for several teams.

The opening winners of the "monster stage" were Boris Herrmann's team Malizia and the Guyot Environnement - Team Europe, who held up well in the difficult conditions.

Team Malizia and Team Guyot were ahead when the wind died down temporarily.

The fleet bobbed around in front of the Table Mountain backdrop for a while before the boats slowly got going again.

»This stage stands for perseverance and brutality«

The Biotherm team had already returned to the port with technical problems, where, according to the regulations, they had to wait at least two hours before they could restart.

"We experienced between zero and 45 knots of wind today - crazy," said skipper Paul Meilhat.

He described the repairs as "not a big deal."

The 11th Hour Racing team also had to stop the race to replace two broken mainsail battens.

The Americans accepted two "penalty hours" at sea to have replacement material brought to them.

"We have spare parts on board, but we don't want to use them just yet with a view to 35 days in the Southern Ocean," said team manager Mark Towill.

About an hour and a half after the start, the co-favorite »Malizia – Seaexplorer« led the decimated field in front of the Guyot Environnement – ​​Team Europe with Berlin co-skipper Robert Stanjek.

Herrmann and his crew left Cape Town in the morning to much cheering.

12,750 nautical miles lie ahead of the Ocean Race fleet to the Brazilian port of call Itajai.

The route in the South Sea leads about three quarters around the Antarctic.

"This stage represents perseverance and brutality," said circumnavigator and Eurosport co-commentator Dee Caffari.

ara/dpa