Brasil One forged ahead in light winds as the second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race got under way without a hitch from Cape Town's Table Bay yesterday.

Skippered by Torben Grael, and second overall after the first leg from Vigo in Spain, Brasil One started fastest in the five-eight knot winds in the bay.

Overall leaders Abn Amro One, under the leadership of Mike Sanderson, made a sluggish start in the calm conditions.

The second leg of the gruelling race is considered the most difficult, as the course takes the fleet through the treacherous Southern Ocean and 6,100 nautical miles to Melbourne.

"It is a very windy, wet and wild part of the world," Sanderson said prior to the start.

"Throw in some icebergs, some growlers (small floating icebergs) and a couple of Russian fishing fleets and it is an obstacle course that will provide some interesting weeks and some very nervous times."

Abn Amro One leads the race on 15 points with Brasil One on 12.5 points.

The leading boats are expected to reach Melbourne in 15-20 days.