Estrella Damm have begun to shake off their followers this morning, and after two days of slow progress they have now reacquainted themselves with the breeze and are back up to 13 knots.

 

Just 32 miles back, Groupe Bel also seem to have escaped the light patch which has now slowed Mirabaud to just under three knots in fourth.

Over on the west, Foncia remains the fastest boat on the course and has leapfrogged Dominique Wavre (SUI) and Michèle Paret (FRA) on Mirabaud in the rankings to climb to third, thanks to their gains to the south despite over 600 miles separating them from the leader’s course. Fellow westerly followers, Virbac Paprec 3 have also gained positions and are now fifth, while together both make key ground to the south-east in a solid 15 knot breeze. In the middle lane, MAPFRE is currently lying sixth.

The hunters now become the prey, as further back in the fleet the light winds now ensnare Renault ZE, Neutrogena and GAES Centros Auditivos, whose rankings have this morning reshuffled to fall in that order after what Dee Caffari (GBR) on GAES described as: “A very difficult and tiring night. Rain clouds, shifty wind, variable strength has led us to sail in all directions of the compass but rarely the one we want to go in.”

Behind them, Central Lechera Asturiana, Hugo Boss and We Are Water will each be hoping to evade the lull and hunt down the becalmed group ahead. However, each are taking a slightly different route – east for Central Lechera Asturiana and We Are Water, and slightly west for Forum Maritim Catala, who is now just over 400 miles adrift of the leaders in 12th place.