Woxen and Ardern lead

As MacArthur and Moloney lanquish in first day of Swedish catamaran endurace race

At 08.00 GMT (10.00 local time) the 14 catamarans shot off from Gustavsberg’s Marina outside Stockholm for the world’s longest sailing orienteering marathon. In 18ft catamarans the teams of two paddled over the start line as there was no wind.

Last year’s winner Magnus Woxén with co-skipper Rodney Ardern took the start on Sogeti with interesting tactics. Waiting further behind the start line they perfectly timed the start, paddling hard and profiting of the little wind on the leeward side of the start line.

Birthday girl Ellen MacArthur (27 today!) and Nick Moloney on Omega had a conservative start and had to carry out a psychologically tough pit stop shortly after the start to repair a rudder problem. MacArthur and Moloney lost time and were last to check in at the second check point at Kymmendo island at 13.05 GMT, 50 minutes after the leading boat Sogeti. The stressed team hurried away from the island to catch up with the leading boats ahead. Navigation plays a great part in the race and the local teams have a huge advantage knowing their way around the thousands of rocks and islands.

The battle is really close between the first four teams. Team Sogeti and Tidermans are fighting neck and neck, tightly chased by Nokia/Adilstam and Nokia Kempff.

The winds are light at around 2-8 knots with a little bit of sea breeze kicking in during the afternoon. The competitors have ceased to paddle and are sailing at a pleasant speed of 6-8 knots in upwind/close hauled conditions.

The Archipelago Raid demands all the ingredients of intelligence, endurance and muscles: you need to have smart tactics, endurance for four days non-stop racing on the water, and lots of strength to paddle when the wind is light. The competition is tight with many well prepared teams with a chance to win. No one can predict which the winning team will be. "It will be even tougher this year. Most teams are better prepared and many have a chance to win," commented last year’s winner Magnus Woxén (prior to the start.

The competitors pass five check points today on various islands to finally arrive in Nynashamn tonight, 53 miles south of the start in Gustavsberg/Stockholm. In Nynashamn the sailors will have a chance to eat and rest during the four hour compulsory stop before they tackle the tricky navigation by night northbound.

ETA in Gustavsberg/Stockholm late afternoon on Friday 11 July.

Position at Check Point 2 at Kymmendö Island Between 12.14 and 13.04 GMT:
Sogeti Magnus Woxén (S) and Rodney Ardern (NZ) – Woxén winner 2002 with Klabbe Nylöf
Tidermans Anders Lewander (S) and Calle Hennix (S)
Nokia / Adilstam Fredrik Adilstam (S) and Tomas Marimon (S) – 2:nd 2002
Nokia / Kempff Joakim Kempff (S) and Magnus Nordström (S)
Jobman Workwear Björn Hansen (Åland) and Björn Österberg (S)
Addicom Mikael Leksell (S) and Pontus Johansson (S)
ASSA ABLOY Neal McDonald (GB) and Lisa McDonald (USA) – 3:rd 2002
Playground Petter Åström (S) and Jonas Engstedt (S)
GB Glace Bengt Jacobson (S) and Jan Schiratzki (S)
Nynäs Havsbad Thomas Östergren (S) and Tore Lewander (S)
Macfreeze Anders Tengbom (S) and Fred Wikström (S)
Suunto Stefan Engstrand (S) and Björn Scherrer (S)
Realsailing Fredrik Hansen (S) and Christopher Ringhagen (USA/S)
Omega Ellen MacArthur (GB) and Nick Moloney (AUS)