One hour to go to New Zealand for Club Med

Club Med was one hour from Cape Farewell the North West corner of the South Island of New Zealand at 1900 GMT on Thursday evening. Sailing just after dawn at more than 28 knots, the New Zealand born skipper Grant Dalton phoned his shore team in Europe to let them know.

"I can't see the land yet because it is pretty hazy right now. The sea is flat and we are moving fast, knocking on the 30 knots from time to time."

The exact beginning of the Cook Straits is the subject of some debate on board Club Med. The gap between the two main islands of New Zealand is commonly called the Cook Straits after James Cook who sailed through here in 1769. Grant Dalton on the subject:

"Cape Farewell is the first bit of land we will see but I think that the Cook Straits proper begins 60 miles further East at Stephen's Island, a rocky islet just North of Cape Stephens on d'Urville Island which is some 35 miles North East of the town of Nelson."

The narrowest passage of water that separates Arapawa Island on the South Island and Cape Terawhiti on the bottom of the North Island is just 13 miles across. It will be possible for the crew to see both sides at the same time here before they turn South East again in front of the New Zealand capital Wellington. This is still more than 130 miles from Club Med's present position and the boat is expected to arrive here sometime after 0100 GMT on Friday.

More Information:

• YachtsandYachting.com The Race Information Page