Volvo Ocean Race contenders face new sea challenges - Pirates off Somalia

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- The eight yachts taking part in the grueling round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race are poised to challenge new seas in a bid to avoid pirates off the coast of Somalia.

For the first time in its 35-year history, the event has included an Asian stop on its itinerary. The traditional second leg from Cape Town to Australia or New Zealand -- a journey of howling storms, fierce seas, biting cold and icebergs -- has been replaced by the unknown dangers awaiting the boats on a 4,450-mile journey to the Indian port of Cochin that begins on Saturday.

Several of the boats suffered storm damage on the first leg, and the crew of Ericsson 3 was busy replacing a keel on Friday, less than 24 hours before the race restarted.

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