The fleet of boats racing in La Solitaire Afflelou Le Firaro race was on a direct heading to the next mark, the Burela Lighthouse, at 100 miles away at 1500 yesterday. The fleet has spread out with 27 miles between the most southern and most northern placed boats.

Yann Eliès (Groupe Generali Assurances) still holds on to his lead, narrower now than when he created it heading up to the previous mark at Birvideaux close to Belle-Ile. Travelling at an average 6kts, Yann has to keep looking over his shoulder to keep an eye on his two most dangerous opponents, Charles Caudrelier (Bostik Findley) in second place, less than 1.3 miles behind and Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore) in fifth and only 3,89 miles away.

The wind picked up as forecast and is now south-westerly and varies in force, but averages between 10-12kts. The fluctuating winds have had an affect on the positions within the fleet throughout the day. In the morning, the first four boats had some stronger breeze coming off the low weather system and were able to increase their boat speed, however, the tables had turned by the afternoon and the bottom half of the fleet were fast catching up enjoying some higher speeds.

The skippers are all focusing on reaching the next mark on the northern shores of Spain, the Burela Lighthouse. Decisions are being made as to the best approach, whether to reach it on one tack, two or three. It all boils down to the best right positioning.

The sailors have no access to the latest weather forecasts and are all wondering when and where the low-pressure system is going to set in and how to make the most of it. They are sailing under spinnaker and on a long swell, indicative of the not too distant low that is forecast to move on a northerly course.

British sailor, Sam Davies (Skandia) was 26th and 28,51 miles from the leader on the latest position report.