CAPE TOWN (AFP) — Sweden's Ericsson 4 won the gruelling first leg of the around the world Volvo Ocean Race, sailing into Cape Town harbour on Sunday, followed ten hours later by Puma's Il Mostro.
The Ericsson 4, which became the fastest monohull yacht ever when it broke the world 24-hour distance record on Wednesday, drifted toward Table Mountain with the wind dying down on approach before picking up slightly to whisk the yacht over the finish line at 0554 GMT.
The win gives the yacht eight points, putting it on top with 14 points accumulated so far in the Volvo Race, which is won by points and not by the fastest overall time.
Brazilian skipper Torben Grael said he was "very glad we are ahead," telling media "it feels great that the finish wasn't painful," comparing it to the last time the race came to Cape Town when the vessel had to wait for 12 hours before making it into port.
It took the team 21 days, 17 minutes and 54 seconds to complete the first haul.
"It was a great trip with lots of speed and I am very happy with what we have achieved," he said.
A brisk wind saw Puma's sleek vessel, red sails billowing, speed over the finish line at sunset, finishing the first leg of the team's first ever yacht race in second place at 1754GMT.
"We're thrilled. Puma team racing didn't even exist a year ago," American skipper Ken Read told AFP, saying the team had to contend with heat, "no wind, too much wind and everything in between."
The crews, which battle harsh conditions in the world's most prestigious yacht race, living off freeze-dried food and dealing with temperatures ranging from -5 to 40 degrees Celsius (23 to 104 Fahrenheit) was relieved to touch ground after the first leg.
"Seeing land is always a beautiful thing," said Read.
Ericsson 4, the race favorite, sailed at around 25 knots through a low pressure area with winds of around 30 knots.
Eight yachts representing seven nations set off on October 11 for the race, one of the most gruelling and hazardous in sport.
Formerly known as the Whitbread Race, the event known as the 'Everest of Sailing' has grown in prestige since its launch in 1973.
The dramatic first leg was the second longest at 6,500 nautical miles.
Squally conditions saw the boats shifting around the leaderboard until the scoring gate off the coast of Brazil where Puma lost her lead to Ericsson 4, who swiftly took a commanding lead, breaking the record on Wednesday, and finishing in Cape Town 135 miles ahead.
The two leading teams were in sight of each other for 75 percent of the race.
Some boats, like the one belonging to Spanish team Telefonica Black which is in last place, suffered damage after crossing a stormy region in recent days.
Ericsson 3 was ahead of the Chinese vessel Green Dragon as they headed toward Cape Town, and was expected to arrive on Monday morning.
Telephonica Blue was playing tactically, using StealthPlay which allows a team to block their position from the rest of the fleet so their competitors don't know where they are and what they are doing.
Each of the yachts receive points according to their position in each of the 10 legs. Half points are also awarded at six scoring gates along the route and for the seven 'in-port' races.
During the last five editions of the event, the winner of the first stage has gone on to win the race.
Participants will depart from Cape Town on November 15 for Cochin in India for the second stage of the event.
The finish line in the race of 37,000 nautical miles is in St Petersburg, Russia, where the teams are expected in June 2009.
Positions at 1800 GMT Sunday:
1. Ericsson 4 (SWE)/Torben Grael (BRA) Arrived in Cape Town
2. Puma Ocean Racing (USA)/Ken Read (USA) Arrived
3. Ericsson 3 (SWE)/Anders Lewander (SWE) 147 miles behind
4. Green Dragon (IRL-CHN)/Ian Walker (ENG) 190
5. Team Russia (RUS)/Andreas Hannakamp (AUT) 307
6. Delta Lloyd (NED)/Ger O'Rourke (IRL) 418
7. Telefonica Black (ESP)/Fernando Echavarri (ESP) 496
Telefonica Blue (ESP)/Bouwe Bekking (NED) StealthPlay
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