1.
GV Yachts at start of race
0.08

2.
CU Germany's 'Saudade'
0.18

3.
CU Italy's 'Saggitarius' ploughs through water
0.27

4.
MV Australia's 'Ragamuffin' (2 shots)
0.43

5.
GV Race in progress
0.48

6.
MV Australia' 'Ginkgo'
0.56

7.
MV Bermuda's 'Firebrand Three'
1.09

8.
MV USA'S Charisma' (US6944)
1.17



Initials AE/2.16 AE/2.33


SPORT - YACHTING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Forty-eight yachts from 16 nations set out from Cowes (UK) on Friday (3 August) to contest the 1973 Admiral's Cup yachting series, with current titleholder Britain facing a tough challenge from Australia and the Untied States.

When the signal was given, the Dutch yacht Nymphaea was first over the starting line, followed by Argentina's 'Atrevido' and Italy's 'Saggitarius' to start the 225-mile (360KM) Channel race - the first of four in the Cup series.

Wind conditions at the start of the race indicated that it would be a fast pace for the yachts as they made their way across the English Channel to Le Havre on the Northern coast of France before returning to Cowes on Sunday (5 August).

After two 30-mile (48 KM) inshore races next Monday (6 August) and Wednesday (8 August), the cup series will wind up with the 600-mile (960KM) Fastnet race starting at Cowes on August 11.

SYNOPSIS: With a stiff south-westerly to help things along, forty-eight yachts form sixteen countries headed out across the starting line at Cowes in Southern England on Friday, and the nineteen-seventy-three Admiral's Cup Yachting series was under way. Germany's 'Saudade' was one of the first away, followed closely by Italy's graceful 'Saggitarius'. First out was the Dutch yacht 'Nymphaea'.

One of the most powerful challengers for this year's cup is Australia's 'Ragamuffin', away to a fine start, and taking every advantage of the breeze. Australia and the United States are heavily tipped to take the trophy away from Britain.

The big field headed out across the English Channel to Le Hsvre, where they'll turn around and head back to Cowes. Australia's 'Ginkgo' was also up with the leaders at the start, making a good show of strength from Down Under. The classic event finishes on the eleventh of August at Cowes.

Under red-white-and-blue rigging, Number six-nine-double-four, Charisma from the United States caught the wind and headed out to sea.