VOR yachts Illbruck, News Corp and Tyco competing in the third leg of the VOR from Sydney to Auckland are almost becalmed in the middle of the fleet and losing distance all the time to the leading two boats Amer Sports One and ASSA ABLOY, who are both sailing in wind of around 12 knots from the east.

To the south, djuice is maintaining reasonable speeds, attempting to avoid the centre of the ridge, which has trapped the other three VO60s.

Amer Sports Too has now rejoined the race following the repairs to their rudder earlier on this week.

Position Report, Day 5, 1554 GMT

1 AART

2 AONE (17 miles behind leader)

3 TYCO (58 miles behind leader)

4 NEWS (61 miles behind leader)

5 ILBK (63 miles behind leader)

6 DJCE (63 miles behind leader)

7 ATOO (392 miles behind leader)

8 TSEB (RTD)