US team leads Volvo race around the world

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2008

MADRID (AFP) — US outsiders Puma Ocean Racing were leading the Volvo Ocean Race around the world Friday as the eight yachts approached the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic, despite pressure from Swedish favorite Ericsson 4.

Spain's two Telefonica yachts were trailing in seventh and eighth position, more than 200 nautical miles behind the leaders, on the seventh day of the race that started in the Spanish Mediterranean port of Alicante.

"There are minefields everywhere and there is nothing traditional' about this leg so far at all," said Puma skipper Ken Read.

The boats are expected in Cape Town, South Africa on November 3 at the end of the first of the 10 legs of the race.

After 37,000 nautical miles, the finish line is in St Petersburg, Russia,...