While illbruck as the race leader and fellow competitors Tyco, Assa Abloy, Amer Sports One and News Corp battle with the light airs in the mid Atlantic, Team SEB, positioned well to the east, is making consistently large gains which are likely to see them back in the hunt before the day’s out.

‘They are either in heaven or hell,’ commented Knut Frostad aboard Djuice Dragon, ‘Marcel van Triest, navigator aboard SEB, who sailed with us last time (on Innovation Kvaerner in the 1997-1998 Whitbread),will take this opportunity all the way out.’

After being trapped for so many days over to the east on their own, SEB are relieved to be sailing in the north-east Trade Winds and making good ground at last. ‘We have taken 80 miles out of the longitudinal separation,’ said Gunna Krantz aboard SEB, ‘despite the fact that the others are making a lot of westerly. At the most we had 380 miles separation – stay with the fleet somebody said!’

‘We have been attacked by the fly fishes in a way not seen before. They arrive 100s at a time and quite a few of them end up on the boat, even inside. Our arrangement with two companionways doesn’t make it easier. Smell of fish is spreading over the deck and the baby wipes are being used frequently. Tony mutter, our sail coordinator and watch captain, found one nearly dead fish under the sails inside the boat. He refused to remove it with the explanation that he hates flying fishes. We analysed it but could not find a cure for the problem. One thing is for sure though; he will find a fish in his sleeping bag if I know these guys right.’

Position Report Day 13, 0358 GMT

1 ILBK

2 TYCO

3 AART

4 AONE

5 NEWS

6 TSEB

7 ATOO

8 DJCE