Intro:

Captains set the scene in Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday (17th March) - as the participants in the 12th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race prepare to tackle the Southern Ocean.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Bouwe Bekking, skipper Team Brunel (on the decision of race organisers to postpone the start of leg five):

"I think, like all the skippers when we actually had a meeting about the leg, everybody said straight away in that meeting already, if you're going to delay, we're going to support you. So I think there has been a wise decision, you wouldn't send someone in somewhere (with the winds) going at 100 knots, because it would be just crazy. It would be a survival race then, not a race anymore. And if someone breaks down in the first night or the first two days, it would be just... it would not be good for the race as well and it doesn't make a point. So, a very good decision."

SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Walker, skipper Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing:

"Last time round, I can tell you what happened. We pretty much destroyed the bottom of the boat and ended up capsizing the boat in the middle of the Southern Ocean and drilling 30 holes in it to bolt it back together. So that was slightly unusual, when you decide to make a decision like that and I think what that does highlight is that sometimes skippers have to make quite hard decisions, whether it's fixing things, or whether it's how hard you push the boat or where and how you navigate. When you look at the weather right now, you imagine if the organisers didn't delay the start, you'd have to decide whether you went out there or not. That could be a decision which is life or death, or wins or loses you the race."

SOUNDBITE (English) Samantha Davies, skipper Team SCA:

"Im wondering 'crumbs!' what's it going to belike trying to helm in those conditions? When you're single-handed, you let the auto-pilot helm in the worst conditions, so I've done it before, but not in this... I guess not... well, I did do it in a multi-hull a long time ago, but that was a bit different, but in the context of the Volvo Ocean race and the way we push the boats and one design, it is a little bit different. And then, yeah, going with the girls, I think, or leading the girls into this leg, I don't feel like there's a huge amount of pressure, because now it feels we have a really good team and yes, we haven't all been there, but we've done so much together now, that I think we're strong enough."