The Mini Transat fleet is still floundering in virtually no wind as it heads down the coast of Portugal to Lanzarote. But although there is little change expected imminently, crews are focusing on depression forecast over the Canary Islands in the next few days.

Jonathan McKee, the American, sailing a Rogers-designed prototype has taken over the leading position and is currently in a close battle with the initial race leader Sam Manuard sailing his owned-designed prototype, just three miles astern. Armel Tripon in a Finot/Conq 98-designed prototype is also keeping the pressure on in the light, testing conditions.

Meanwhile further down the fleet, just 20 miles behind McKee, is the Frenchman David Sineau, sailing the leading Pogo 2 production boat. British sailor Ian Munslow in his Owen design proto is maintaining his top 20 position, and James Bird, the youngest competitor in the fleet is steadily improving his position and is currently lying in 51st place.

Richard Merigeaux’s who damaged the top of his mast at the start, had to return to La Rochelle and eventually set off 20 hours behind the main group (140 miles astern) has to win the prize for the most outstanding race performance so far. Benefiting from a different weather system yesterday, Merigeaux sailed his Lombard-designed proto in to 28th position and is now just 70 miles from the leader.

Chris Sayer, the New Zealand Mini sailor who was unable to secure an entry to the race but decided start race unofficially is, according to a report by Di Pearson on sail-world.com, the current overall unofficial leader, despite starting a hour after the main fleet.

Latest positions

1 247 Jonathan Mc Kee TEAM MC LUBE proto

2 431 Samuel Manuard TIP TOP TOO – LE GRAU DU ROI PORT CAMARGUE proto

3 151 Armel Tripon MOULIN ROTY proto

4 312 Pascal Doin ASNQ proto

5 393 Cian Mc Carthy THE TOM CREAN proto

6 227 Donald Wright RUSSE NOIR proto

7 316 Pia L’Obry EXPATRIA.FR proto