The two aft compartments on Nick Moloney’s open 60 Skandia flooded when a hatch cover blew off early this morning.

Moloney, who’s currently at a position of 450088N.445984W, in fourth place, awoke from a deep sleep this morning to the sound of sloshing water from astern. Fortunately no damage occurred and Moloney was able to open the stern hatch and let most of the seven-eight tons of water escape. The remaining water was pumped out manually.

With three reefs and the Solent up in 30kts of wind and confused seas which lasted for seven hours yesterday, and the early morning flood, Moloney is making the most of the current light airs before the next depression which is on its way. According to the Skandia team, Moloney is now on good form, and contemplating his next move. After a 20 minute penalty for an OCS and making a decision to go south when others went north, Moloney had a bit of a slow start. However, he is now neck and neck with Conrad Humphreys on Hellomoto – 135nm behind the leader, Mike Golding on Ecover – and has just 1,122 nm to the finish. The current estimated time of arrival in Boston is 13 June. This will however, entirely depend on the weather situation over the next few days.