“IT was one of the first big decisions in the race.”

That was the view of Abu Dhabi navigator Simon Fisher today as the Volvo Ocean Round the World Race crews celebrated their first week at sea.

Southampton skipper Ian Walker decided to go north of the Cape Verde Islands en route to Cape Town, the end destination of the first leg of the 2014/15 VOR.

“It’s one of the first moments that we can’t see the boats,” Southampton-based Fisher added.

“We’re keeping our options open so we can adjust.”

Walker and co expected the rest of the fleet to join them, but that wasn’t the case.

Fisher turned to Walker. “Scared?” he asked.

The response comes short and sharp. “Yeah.”

As it turned out, though, Abu Dhabi were not alone.

Team Brunel, Team Alvimedica and Team SCA – the latter the all-female crew skippered by Hamble’s Sam Davies – all followed.

“The northern route gives you more options,” said Libby Greenalgh from Team SCA.

“The Cape Verde Islands are pretty tricky to get through, and you could end up getting stuck.”

One boat not lacking in courage was Dongfeng Race Team, who were the only team to go south of the islands.

As of earlier this evening, Dongfeng were leading the race, with Walker fifth out of seven boats and Team SCA in last place.

The fleet will soon be hitting the Doldrums, one of the major hazards of the 6,500-nautical mile first leg.

The Doldrums are a low-pressure area around the equator where the prevailing winds are calm.