Things are really hotting up on the final approaches to Cape Town. Grant Dalton’s Amer Sports One is still leading the race but in the last few hours Illbruck has closed the gap to just eight miles.

Although Dalton expects to cross the finish line early tomorrow evening, he is well aware that with over 400 miles to go, the race is far from over. While the rough conditions that the two leading boats are experiencing right now are perfect, particularly for the beamy Amer Sports One, Dalton continues to be concerned about Illbruck’s more developed sail inventory. “Their [illbruck] sail inventory, as you would expect, is far more refined than ours.” says Dalton, “so It’s no real surprise they have taken time out of us. We’re delighted to have held them off at all.”

John Kostecki and his Illbruck team are pressing their Farr designed Volvo Ocean 60 to the max in a last ‘all or nothing’ attempt to win the leg. “We are slowly chewing away at their lead as they cover us. Our crew has been doing an awesome job of pushing the boat hard to its limits. Working every wave and gust of wind trying to gain on Dalton and his crew. Our team is focused, not thinking about anything but keeping the boat going fast,” said Kostecki earlier this morning.

Position Report, Day 31, 1000hrs GMT

1st AONE

2nd ILBK (10 miles behind leader)

3rd NEWS (285 miles behind leader)

4th TYCO (424miles behind leader)

5th AART (615 miles behind leader)

6th TSEB (1065 miles behind leader)

7th DJCE (1072 miles behind leader)

8th ATOO (1132 miles behind leader)