Ocean racers seek safety from pirates

Published Jan. 21, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Boats competing in the Volvo Ocean Race were transported onboard an armed ship to the safe haven of the Maldives capital because of the threat of pirates along the east coast of Africa.

Dutch ship Happy Diamond was protected by barbed wire when it delivered the six-strong fleet safely to Male.

Race CEO Knut Frostad says "it has been a very tense and difficult time for us" and "now we're just looking forward to getting back to racing."

In late December, boats were transported on an armed ship through the Indian Ocean before completing the leg with a short sprint into Abu Dhabi in the first week of January.