Illbruck is still leading the five-boat procession to the waypoint of Ilha de Fernando Noronha, 200 miles off the north-east coast of Brazil.

John Kostecki’s Illbruck team will round Noronha at approximately 1100, where they will be greeted by media crews eager for a glance for the first time since leaving the Solent 19 days ago.

Sailing in the same breeze at the same angle has meant that only the odd fraction of a mile has been exchanged between the leaders over the last day. “Once again the speed difference between the boats is scarcely measurable,” commented Kevin Shoebridge, skipper of fourth-placed Tyco.

At the rear of the fleet, SEB, Amer Sports Too and Djuice (sixth, seventh and eighth respectively) have yet to enjoy the light relief of the equatorial crossing ceremony, experienced by the other crews yesterday.

Position Report Day 19, 0400hrs GMT

1 ILBK

2 AART

3 NEWS

4 TYCO

5 AONE

6 TSEB

7 ATOO

8 DJCE