ALICANTE, Spain (AP) — A case of influenza on board Team Brunel threatened to derail its hopes of victory in leg four of the Volvo Ocean Race after it took the lead Sunday in the middle of the Pacific Ocean en route from China to New Zealand.
While the six-strong fleet has been at sea for a week since leaving Sanya, China, on the 5,264 nautical mile journey to Auckland, Spaniard Pablo Arrarte has been confined to his bunk for long periods with a fever.
One of the biggest risks facing the crews is sickness in the eight-man teams, which can spread quickly in the cramped conditions aboard the 65-feet racing yachts.
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