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CNN Live Today

Ocean Race Around World Begins

Aired April 26, 2002 - 12:51   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Eight yachts embark today from Baltimore's Inner Harbor headed in Annapolis, Maryland. On Sunday, the boats take off from the Chesapeake Bay for France in the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race around the world.

Elaine Quijano now from Baltimore brings us up to date as things about to get ready to kickoff -- Elaine, good afternoon.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.

We are here, as you said, at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, where, just a short time, about an hour ago, the Parade of Sails took place. That is an event where the eight yachts, as you mentioned, that are competing in the Volvo Ocean Race put up their sails and put on a magnificent display. We've got some video to show you of that event.

As you mentioned, these boats are now heading to Annapolis. They are going to be spending a couple of days there before restarting the race. And they will be traveling from Annapolis to La Rochelle, France in the next leg of the race. Some call this the grand prix of boat racing. This race consists of eight crews. They travel some 32,000 nautical miles over night months. And they cover four oceans. Now, the race itself actually began last September in Southampton, England. And along the way, they compete in nine legs, stopping in places like Sydney, Australia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and now the Baltimore/Annapolis area.

These sailors have to undergo some very treacherous conditions. Sometimes they are out on the seas for weeks at a time. They are primarily self-sufficient. They do have a lot of communications equipment on board, satellite technology, to help keep them ahead of the weather and also ahead of each other. This is a very heated race, a very intense competition, sailing at the highest levels -- but these folks who participate not necessarily millionaires.

They say they do this because they enjoy sailing. They go out and they have found something that they love to do. And they go out and get corporate sponsors to help them take part in the race itself.

Now, what do they win at the end of their nine-month journey? A Waterford Crystal trophy. But they say, Bill, it is all worth it. The race itself wraps up June 9 in Kiel, Germany -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Elaine, thanks -- Elaine Quijano there in Baltimore.

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