As the majority of the Open 60 monohull fleet sail into predicted conditions of 15-25 knots from north-west, the leading IMOCA yachts – Ecover and Pindar AlphaGraphics continue the relentless fight for first place and have repeatedly traded pole position overnight. Leading this morning, Mike Golding on Ecover is the northerly of the two boats; just under four miles ahead of Mike Sanderson on Pindar AphaGraphics and the yachts are now close enough to be in visual contact with one another.

Meanwhile, third place monohull, Temenos (Dominique Wavre), is closing on the front pair and is currently just 37 miles behind the lead boats. Trailing Wavre, in fourth and fifth position, Hellomoto (Conrad Humphreys) and Skandia (Nick Moloney) have also made gains on the leaders, while Humphreys crept away from Moloney by a few miles in the early hours of this morning.

The 60ft trimaran fleet, now closing on the finish line, are likely to encounter tricky conditions as a high pressure building off Boston will produce light south-westrly to westerly, shifty and patchy winds in increasingly calm weather. This morning, Michel Desjoyeaux on leading 60ft trimaran Geant, described flat and fast sailing conditions, while second place Thomas Coville on Sodebo – only 43 miles behind – has reported choppy seas and 23 knots of breeze. Geant has already crossed into shallow waters and records 100m depth while Coville is still climbing up the coastal shelf with 1,500m under his keel.