With SEB out of the race with a broken rudder, the remaining seven boats in the VOR fight it out at the front of the Sydney-Hobart race fleet.

As the wind dropped inshore Assa Abloy and News Corp had to surrender their positions to illbruck and Tyco. Amer Sports One and djuice closed in from behind as well and are within 15 miles of the leaders. Amer Sports Too, now 88 miles back, made the biggest gains, even though hindered by a broken forestay strop.

The fleet is now sailing under spinnaker in less than 10 knots of north-easterly breeze, 36 miles away from Cape Sonnerat. The light wind will remain all the way to Hobart’s finish line, now 130 miles away.

Position Report, Day 3, 0350 GMT

1 ILBK

2 NEWS (one mile from leader)

3 TYCO (one mile from leader)

4 AART (four miles from leader)

5 DJCE (nine miles from leader)

6 AONE (13 miles from leader)

7 ATOO (88 miles from leader)

8 TSEB (130 miles from leader)