It has been over two weeks since 89 solo racers left Funchal for Brazil. With only 300 miles to sail, it would appear that race leader Yves Le Blevec (Actual) will have to wait only two more days before reaching dry land.

Le Blevec’s lead is a comfortable one. At 05:00 UTC this morning he was ahead of second placed Ronan Deshayes (Pro technologies) by over 120 miles, and third placed Fabien Despres (Soitec) by almost 160. Adrien Hardy (Brossard) has been impressive over the weekend. After closing the gap between himself and Le Blevec to less than nine miles, boat problems forced Hardy to make a U-turn. Recovered, but fallen to tenth position, he has since managed to climb back up to forth – approximately 200 miles behind the lead.

There is good news too for British pair Andrew Wood (Domosofa.com) and David Rawlinson (www.oceanchallenge.com). Both have been steadily climbing the rankings, Wood finding himself in the top 20 for the first time. He is lying in 19th position this morning, 440 miles behind Le Blevec. Second placed Brit Rawlinson, who has been hot on the heels of Hardy since leaving Funchal, is lying in 25th – only 40 miles behind his countryman.

Herve Piveteau (Jules) and Spaniard Julia Gerald Marin (C.n. Ilanca), the two highest placed in the Series Fleet are 10th and 12th respectively.

Unfortunately the expected trade winds aren’t showing, and competitors have had to deal with a lymphatic southeast flux. As a result, most have decided on the less direct route and headed east. The lower end of the fleet has similar frustrations – still blocked by the ‘Pot au Noir’. Last placed Hugo Ramon (Volkswagon sailing experience) has over 1500 miles to go before reaching Salvador.