By 08:00hrs on the second day of the China Sea Race on 29 March, the fleet had split into two distinct groups with light north-easterly winds still dictating the race pace. In the leading line honours group the magnificent Swan 80 Maligaya was holding off Jelik by a narrow margin, closely followed by Sam Chans heavily modified ULDB Sled Ffree Fire and Hi Fidelity.

Further behind, overseas entrants Australian Maid, Helsall II and Intrigue of Stornaway were battling it out with Red Baron, Rhythm Stick and Vida.

After her troubled start, Elektra a First 47.7 had made up ground and was positioned with Hocux Pocux II, Kam Loong and Outrageous just ahead of another cluster of nine boats. Carillon, Irmgard and Body Shots II were bringing up the rear of the monohulls, leaving Beluga Free languishing around 50 miles further back.