| At sea. Volvo Ocean Race: Another Battle of the Chesapeake has started |
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; "Positions 0400 GMT Day 16")
| Monday, 17 April 2006 | |
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Event media amended by BYM News: At 2200 GMT yesterday, the Volvo fleet leaders were 20 nautical miles off Cape Hatteras, part of the National Seashore, which, stretches over 70 barrier islands on the coast of North Carolina. It comprises of a thin strand of islands, which curves out into the Atlantic Ocean and then back again. This area was once dubbed the ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic’ for its treacherous currents, shoals and storms. This natural barrier has survived the onslaught of wind and sea, but as the leaders arrived it had a wind speed of around 7 knots directly from the East. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and more than 150 rivers and streams drain into it. It was the site of the ‘Battle of the Chesapeake’ in 1781, during which time the French Fleet defeated the Royal Navy in the decisive naval battle of the American revolutionary war. The two leading yachts of the Volvo fleet may well have their own battle as the gap between ABN AMRO ONE (Mike Sanderson) and Movistar (Bouwe Bekking) closes to within 33 nautical miles. ABN AMRO ONE has chosen to hug the coast; at one time as close as two miles off shore. It will remain to be seen if this pays off as they near the entrance. Pirates of the Caribbean (Paul Cayard) are holding on to their third place, as they near their home continent. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 17 April 2006 ) |
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