The high-pressure system that is still blocking the passage at Cape Reinga for Assa Abloy is soon expected to start moving to the east, opening the path to Auckland. She is expected to round the Cape later this afternoon.

Amer Sports One in second and djuice in fifth are sailing their own races with big cushions to the leading yacht as well as to the trailing one. Still open is the struggle for places three to five, and each of the three yachts illbruck, News Corp and Tyco will do all they can to be in front of their rivals at Cape Reinga.

Position Report, Day 8, 0400 GMT

1 AART

2 AONE (47 miles from leader)

3 ILBK (99 miles from leader)

4 NEWS (104 miles from leader)

5 TYCO (108 miles from leader)

6 DJCE (152 miles from leader)

7 ATOO (592 miles from leader)

8 TSEB (Rtd)