There is a change of leader in the Portimao Global Ocean Race just three days after the start in Portimao, Portugal. The Chilean team of Felipe Cubillos and Jose Munoz have stormed into the lead aboard the Guillaume Verdier designed Class 40 Desafio Cabo de Hornos (pictured).

Belgium Michel Kleinjans (Roaring Forty), who has dominated the race since the first mandatory gate at Sagres, has fallen from the top spot. With increasing winds and a full sail flying, it is clearly tough to hold off a charge from a double-handed entry.

Yesterday morning Roaring Forty and Desafio Cabo de Hornos crossed gybes with the German Beluga Racer slightly to the north, but the 1220 UTC poll told a new story. The southernmost boat, Desafio Cabo de Hornos, held a slim 6 mile lead over Beluga Racer with Roaring Forty a mile astern of Beluga Racer on a distance to go basis. Six miles separate these teams and with full canvas set it’s a superb boat race mid Atlantic.

The next tactical obstacle will be the Canary islands. The first boats were expected to pass through the islands in the early hours of this morning.

Leaderboard at 18:20 UTC 15 October

Desafio Cabo de Hornos – distance to finish 5751 nautical miles
Beluga Racer – distance to finish 5752 nautical miles

Roaring Forty – distance to finish 5753 nautical miles

Team Mowgli – distance to finish 5828 nautical miles

Hayai – distance to finish 5829 nautical miles

Kazimir Partners – distance to finish 5830 nautical miles