Alan Paris set off on the final leg of his round the world odyssey yesterday, aiming to become the first Bermudian to solo circumnavigate the globe.

Leg Five in the Around Alone race saw the competitors leave Salvador in Brazil for the finish at Newport, Rhode Island. The first boat is estimated to arrive on May 5.

Seconds after the gun fired, Paris and BTC Velocity crossed the line to take the start. He was immediately followed by Emma Richards in Pindar with Bruce Schwab in Ocean Planet right behind. Moments later Thierry Dubois in Solidaires rolled over the top of Ocean Planet to move into third.

In a group at the committee boat end, Brad Van Liew in Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America, Bernard Stamm in Bobst Group Armor lux and Kojiro Shiarishi in Spirit of Yukoh were all a few seconds late for the start, but all were sailing at full speed.

This last 4,015 nautical miles from Brazil to Newport, Rhode Island are considered to be a sprint, but tactics and a bit of luck are still vital to a successful leg.

The fleet has to cross the Doldrums once again, after which they have the assistance of the north-east trade winds to aid them to their destination.

A straight line would bring the sailors close to Bermuda on their trek, but that comes with the risk of crossing high-pressure systems and very little wind.

The other alternative is to take the longer westward route, closer to the US Coast, where the Gulf Stream will give them miles even if the wind disappears.

Success in this leg will go to the sailor who plots their way carefully between the high and low pressure systems, and aims to keep the wind blowing at their boat from the most advantageous direction and with sufficient force to maintain a high average speed.