In strong headwinds Ellen MacArthur in Kingfisher once again regained her lead in the Open 60 class in the Europe1 Newman STAR, which started from Plymouth on June 4. Roland Jourdain, now sailing at the same latitude was just 11 miles astern with PRB, Team Group 4 and Fila fighting for 3rd place a further 70 miles astern.

This pattern, however, could be broken as a new low approaches which might give the most northerly of the fleet north easterly winds whilst those in the south battle south westerlies. Particularly well placed is Swiss Dominic Wavre sailing Union Bancaire Privee.

The 60 foot trimarans are now over the Grand Banks and icebergs have already been sighted – the ice is particularly bad this year. Francis Joyon sailing Eure et Loir leads Alain Gautier’s Foncia.

Meanwhile in Class 2 monohulls Emma Richards in Pindar held onto a strong lead ahead of sailthatdream.com, sailed by Alex Thomson and Nastro Azzuro (Gancia). Thomson has suffered a string of gear failures, with the head of his staysail pulling out for the third time.

Around Alone veteran, Russian Viktor Yazykox in Wind of Change headed class 4 and the smallest boat in the fleet, Jason Baggalay’s 30ft Ana was clear ahead in class 5.