Assa Abloy, who is on a northern track with Amer Sports One, has picked up the northerly wind and taken a huge lead on the rest of the VOR fleet.

News Corp and illbruck are within a mile of each other, with Tyco leading them by two miles straight ahead. All three yachts are still on starboard tack, heading north hard on the wind. The recent development had it’s worst effects on djuice south leaving them almost 100 miles behind the leaders. With 756 miles to Cape Reinga it remains to be seen, if their southerly position is part of a long-term strategy.

Amer Sports Too is following with favourable north-westerly winds and will be able to close some distance.

Position Report, Day 6, 0358 GMT

1 AART

2 AONE (30 miles from leader)

3 TYCO (89 miles from leader)

4 NEWS (90 miles from leader)

5 ILBK (91 miles from leader)

6 DJCE (99 miles from leader)

7 ATOO (385 miles from leader)

8 TSEB (RTD)