The SAP Cape to Rio 2003 fleet, which left Cape Town last weekend, are reporting lighter wind conditions as they are turing west towards the South Atlantic high pressure system. Even the 9-metre Suidoos 2 is slowing down and only managed 159 miles yesterday, compared to her average of 193 since Saturday. Gawie Fagan has, however, maintained his handicap lead in the IRC class.

Robin Green’s Julie III continues to race in Suidoos 2’s shadow while Keith Mattison on FTI Flyer remains in the most southerly position of the fleet. They have reported that they are doing their position by dead-reckoning as they are experiencing difficulties with the boat’s GPS. Nauty 40’s put in a good run and covered 185.6 miles during the 24-hours on a more westerly course than the rest of the Rally fleet. This performance puts them in the lead of the fleet. Crew member Judy Sanderson has reported getting her sea legs after suffering for sea sickness for the first two days. “Although the winds are very light at the moment, it is really pleasant sailing conditions and we’re having a wonderful time. We have lost sight of the rest of the fleet and have no land in sight,” said Sanderson.

The Eastern Cape entry Inyoni, skippered by Dr Hein Ferreira, is lying in second position in the rally fleet with the Durban entry Acquila in third place.

Positions (8 January)

1. SUIDOOS 2, Gawie Fagan, 28deg 38.0S, 6 deg 51.0 E, 672miles, 159.2 miles, 6.63 knots

2. JULIE III, Robin Green, 29deg13.0S, 8deg7.0E, 597, 149.9, 6.25

3. FTI FLYER, Keith Marrison, 31deg 4.0S, 7deg 4.0E, 599, 165.8, 6.91

4. INDABA, John Levin, 28deg22.0S, 8deg3.0E, 627, 177.0, 7.38

5. SAFARI – CTW, David Tideswell, 29deg55.0S, 7deg44.0E, 594, 155.4, 6.48

Rally fleet

1. NAUTY 40S, Falk Graser, 30deg2.0S, 8deg28.0E, 557, 185.6, 7.73

2. INYONI, HI Ferreira, 29deg36.0S, 9deg21.0E, 530, 135.1, 5.63

3. AQUILA, Jon Thurlow, 29deg44.0S, 8deg28.0E, 566, 147.5, 6.15

4. ALBACORE, Grant Saunders, 30deg56.0S, 8deg38.0E, 527, 130.6, 5.44

5. CUMIN THRU, Alexander Smith, 30deg16.0S, 11deg17.0E, 423, 173.6, 7.23

6. ACALANTIS, M Tattavitto, 31deg36.0S, 10deg29.0E, 424, 158.8, 6.62