Volvo race fleet may be late arriving here

The Volvo Ocean Race fleet looks as if it will be late coming into Auckland. The fleet was originally scheduled to arrive from March 8.

Leg 4 from Sanya, China is a 5,220 nautical miles distance to Auckland. Organisers have now split the leg into two stages and will hold the fleet in Sanya to allow enough time for dangerous sailing conditions to clear. Forecasts of winds gusting above 40 knots and waves of eight metres prompted the decision.

Auckland Port Director Tom Mayo says Auckland’s race village will still open at 9am on March 8 but it’s not know when the fleet will now arrive.“Whatever time or day it is, I'm sure Auckland will lay on the sort of welcome that only Auckland can."