Racers heading for pirate seas

On the eve of their departure , the world's top sailors were yesterday warned that they would be sailing into a sea of trouble when they departed Cape Town today.

Not only must the seven teams competing in the Volvo Ocean Race sneak through pirate waters around the horn of Africa, they must also navigate tropical cyclone season in the south Indian Ocean.

The official race meteorologist warned yesterday of a brewing cyclone directly in the fleet's path.

"One tropical cyclone is forecast to be in the area just before the fleet reaches these latitudes," said race meteorologist Gonzalo Infante.

The second leg of the contest is considered one of the toughest of the 65000km, nine-month round-the-world race.