Land Ho!

At 1600 GMT three of the eight strong Volvo Ocean Race fleet have rounded the first waypoint on this initial leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Leader illbruck left the island to port at 1129 GMT, followed by ASSA ABLOY at 1334 GMT and News Corp at 1554 GMT. All three yachts passed with 10 knots’ boat speed in perfect sailing conditions with a steady 12 knot south easterly breeze which accelerated over the green hills of the island to raise small waves with white tops from the dark blue ocean.

Tyco has already spotted the summits of the island’s hills due south and will pass in about an hour and a half, followed by Amer Sports One another 11 miles behind.

The three yachts still north of the equator, Team SEB, Amer Sports Too and djuice are preparing to welcome King Neptune on board to accept some pollywogs and shellbacks into his realm.

Position Report Day 19, 1600 GMT:

PSYachtLatitude LongitudeDTFCMGSMGTFHRDTLROC ETA PO
1ILBK04 36.92S032 32.44W0362018710.2254000.025 OCT 018
2AART04 14.56S032 30.72W0364218509.924222-00.225 OCT 017
3NEWS03 52.64S032 29.96W0366318909.92414300.025 OCT 016
4TYCO03 36.40S032 27.72W0367918409.423559-00.525 OCT 015
5AONE03 25.52S032 23.56W0369019310.12377000.326 OCT 014
6TSEB00 56.96N030 05.36W0398621910.323036600.227 OCT 013
7ATOO01 36.76N031 16.52W0400020009.8188380-00.227 OCT 012
8DJCE01 28.28N030 37.92W0400221510.923038200.727 OCT 011