Having trailed the fleet by 13 miles yesterday with gear problems at the start of the Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race from Rio de Janeiro, ABN AMRO One is now leading the fleet.

A broken halyard aboard ABN AMRO One was quickly rectified shortly after the start and, although in the dying breeze off the headland of Cabo Frio last night Sanderson and team were trailing the fleet, they took a decision to head north together with Seb Josse and his Pirates of the Caribbean team, and benefited from stronger breeze.

Meanwhile, Brasil 1 (Torben Grael), Ericsson Racing Team (John Kostecki) and movistar (Bouwe Bekking), who were further south, fell behind. Movistar has suffered the most from this tactical decision and are currently 14 nautical miles behind the leader.

The entire fleet has now rounded the corner of Cabo Frio on a north-easterly course towards Cabo de Sao Tome in a consistent 11 to 15 knot breeze. ABN AMRO One, is currently 35 miles from this next prominent headland.

Brasil 1, skippered by Torben Grael, was keen to be the first out of the starting blocks in home waters but unfortunately was a little over eager and as the starting gun fired they were on the wrong side of the line and were recalled by the race committee. They are now nine miles behind the leader.