2001- a yachting odyssey pt3

James Boyd looks back at July to September and memorable events like the Jubilee regatta

The Volvo Ocean Race got underway on 22 September. madforsailing was on the water camera in hand and the world's top photographers were in the air. At this point there was some question marks over the relative relative performance of the non-Farr Volvo Ocean 60s compared to the Farr majority. Race favourite John Kostecki's illbruck quickly moved into the lead.

In the Mini Transat it was not pre-race favourites Sam Davies or Brian Thompson that were top Brit in the Mini Transat, but amateur sailor Simon Curwen, who was lying second overall as the boats headed south for the Canaries. But the race was soured when Italian competitor Roberto Varinelli was reported missing from his boat. The Portugese rescue authorities were unable to find him.

Meanwhile Bruno Peyron, organiser of The Race, spoke to madfor sailingabout his plans to go back to catamaran racing and for The Race 2.

For our round up of the final three months of sailing in 2001 come back tomorrow!