Volvo sailors facing Chinese torture

Relatively benign condition off the Chinese port Sanya this morning where the Volvo Ocean race returns to racing appear to mask the what lies ahead for the 6,000 mile fourth stage to Auckland and the halfway mark of the race.

Organisers have so far refused to rule out a postponement of tomorrow’s planned start, possibly for as long as 48 hours to allow winds of up to hurricane strength on the South China Sea to ease.

The overall race leader, Spain’s Iker Martinez on Telefonica have won the first three legs of the race but were jittery in Sanya this week in view of the forecast, even opting out of the practice racing on Thursday over fears for the rigging that was replaced with a spare set.