Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

Minutes from the end of the 1,450 nautical mile third leg of the round the world race, Spanish entrant Movistar leads Dutch yacht ABN Ambro One in a furious tacking duel up Wellington Harbour © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

As the finishing line comes into sight around Point Halswell, Movistar still narrowly heads ABN Ambro One © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

On the final tack, Movistar covers ABN Ambro One and holds onto the lead by the narrowest of margins © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

In the final charge for the line, Movistar heads ABN Ambro One to win the leg by only nine seconds © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

After a three day pit stop for the crews in Wellington, thousands of spectators crowd Queens Wharf as the yachts jostle for position behind the start line for the 6,700 nautical mile Leg 4 to Rio de Janeiro © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

As the gun sounds, Pirates of the Caribbean (right) quickly edges ahead of ABN Ambro One (obscured) with Ericsson (left), Brazil 1 (second left) and ABN Amro Two (centre) in pursuit. Movistar was sitting out a two hour start penalty for being hauled from the water for repairs during the stopover. © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

Pirates of the Caribbean and ABN Ambro One get down to business © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

The crew of Pirates of the Caribbean at work as the leader passes Point Jerningham © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

Brazil and ABN Ambro One race away from the start upwind toward the head of Wellington Harbour© 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

Pirates of the Caribbean heads out into Wellington Harbour © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

The departing fleet in Wellington Harbour © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

After completing the circuit of Wellington Harbour, Pirates of the Caribbean holds a lead of more than two minutes as she charges downwind past Seatoun towards Cook Strait © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

ABN Ambro One is in second place as she nears the Wellington Heads © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

ABN Ambro One is shadowed by a helicopter as it approaches the Wellington Heads © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

Brazil 1 leads Ericcson towards the Wellington Heads © 2006 Ross Collins

Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, Wellington, 16-19 February 2006

Pirates of the Caribbean leads ABN Ambro One and the rest of the fleet out of Wellington Harbour into Cook Strait, to make a left turn into the Pacific Ocean en route to Rio de Janeiro © 2006 Ross Collins