After two years of planning and development, a new fleet of round-the-world racing yachts begin the Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante this afternoon.

After a tense sprint stage from Lorient to Galway, French first-time entrant Franck Cammas and his Groupama 4 team were confirmed as winners of the Volvo Ocean Race early yesterday morning.

Irish sailor Justin Slattery was lowered overboard 1,700 miles from land or rescue yesterday after Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s hull started to delaminate and required a complex repair operation in the Volvo Ocean Race.

AS the six boats of the Volvo Ocean Race prepare to start the first of 10 legs in this 39,000-mile competition, the crews are bracing themselves for an immediate battering from gales reminiscent of the 2005 race, with widespread damage across the fleet and one boat forced to retire.