With the Volvo Ocean Race yachts abeam the mouth of the Amazon river, it is inevitable that the thoughts of many of the yachtsmen and women on board will turn to their late lamented friend and sea brother, Peter Blake. For it was just over three months ago that this legendary mariner met a brutal and untimely death, when pirates boarded his yacht in the mouth of the Amazon, and murdered him. Many people the world over mourned for this colossus of yachting, but none more so than the sailors on board these pedigree racing yachts. They are tough, hard men these round the world sailors, but this will not stop them shedding a quiet tear for their old mate ‘Blakey’. A great man, a great loss.

Position Report, Day 10, 0400 GMT

1 ILBK

2 AART (1 mile from leader)

3 TYCO (5 miles from leader)

4 TSEB (38 miles from leader)

5 ATOO (77 miles from leader)

6 AONE (98 miles from leader)

7 NEWS (111 miles from leader)

8 DJCE (126 miles from leader)