When Hitler controlled a continent and fascism appeared unstoppable, when our harbor was bombed and our Pacific fleet crippled, there were those that declared that the United States had been reduced to a third-class power.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama at the American Legion Conference

He owned a trucking company in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941 and sent his fleet in to help evacuate.

FORBES: Hawaiian Ernie Higa Reintroduces Wendy's Hamburgers to Japan

Investec Loyal took the lead for the first time on Tuesday night after the pair had broken away from the rest of the 88-strong fleet from the start in Sydney Harbor on Boxing Day.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Without Wild Thing, the 76-strong fleet made the usual spectacular exit from Sydney Harbor with Wild Oats establishing an early advantage.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"We have been attacked like we haven't since Pearl Harbor, " Admiral Robert J Natter, commander of the US Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, said, according to the Associated Press news agency.

BBC: Bush: Culprits will be punished