A new boat, the canting keel VO70, a new course with stops in Galicia, Melbourne and Rotterdam, pit stops in Wellington and New York, and the totally new In Port race series, this race shaped up to be a vintage iteration of the venerable round the world race.

LIFE AT THE EXTREME

Two boats were out of Leg 1 on the first night while another limped on with damage. The canting keel damage was a portent of things to come but already ABN AMRO ONE was showing her class.

Into the Southern Ocean and more keel problems, with another boat hitching a ride on a ship and one going back for structural repairs – only to be dismasted later. But for the rest, speeds were phenomenal and a second 24 hour world monohull record was lodged.

Despite the keel and hydraulic problems, the nine second win into Wellington showed how close racing could be when things went right.

After the Southern Ocean was behind the boats, the battle became tactical. ABN AMRO ONE had stamped her superiority on the event, but the fleet was closing up and the places were still up for grabs. Then, crossing the Atlantic, came the tragic loss of a crewman and the abandoning of one of the boats. Light weather round Britain, then racing continued neck and neck right to the finish in Gothenburg.