Volvo Ocean Race- Images from Auckland - The First Beat

by Richard Gladwell on 21 Mar 2012
Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race got underway from Auckland on Sunday afternoon. Sail-World's Richard Gladwell was on the water and followed the six strong fleet from the start to when the fleet exited the Waitemata and headed from Cape Horn.

Here is how he saw the day, after the Start there was the Beat down the Waitemata, past the Wharves on the south side, and past the Naval Base and Devonport on the North Shore, to the rounding mark off North Head. All vantage points were packed with fans despite the strong winds, overcast skies and occasional rain.

Team Sanya led from the start and showed the racers beating down the Harbour, staying out of the flood tide