A total of 50 yachts crossed the start line off Pendennis Point in Falmouth at 1300 on Saturday 2 June for the ninth edition of the Azores and Back Yacht Race (AZAB).

This 2,500-mile race which runs every four years comprises two legs with the first leg to the Azores taking approximately 7-10 days to complete.

According to the race organisers all the boats have now confirmed their positions and competitors seem to be enjoying perfect sailing conditions – up to Force 4 north-north-westerly winds and moderate seas.

After two days at sea Jan Kees Lampe’s Open 40 La Promesse has established a 12-mile lead over Mark Lloyd and Deb Fish’s J/133 Jellina, with Rob Craigie and Karen Dolling J122 (the initial race leaders) a further 20 miles astern.

So far there have been two retirement including Deux Points, Allan Owen’s Jeanneau Sunrise, and the Irish entry Sittelle, a Contessa 32 sailed by Trevor Marshall and Dermot O’Niell.