The most recent positioning from the Volvo Ocean Race shows Mike Sanderson’s ABN AMRO team trailing the fleet, 30 miles behind the leader. The overall point’s leaders are suffering in the light, unstable conditions – currently 5 knots – off the coast of Brazil.

Sanderson in his e-mail last night commented: “We have had a mixed day on Black Betty, although we lost to the guys behind us, we have all gained on the guys in front, so the fleet is much closer together again now. Just as it was getting dark we could see everyone except Movistar.”

Movistar has retained her lead overnight but second-placed Pirates of the Caribbean is now just eight miles off her transom in slightly more breeze.

The aim now, of course, is to find the fastest route through into the south-easterly trade winds. Once there, in pole position, the Farr-designed movistar could find herself leading a bit of a drag race in the constantly building breeze towards the turning point of the island of Fernando de Noronha. The more miles she can put under her belt during this stretch of the race the better in preparation for the doldrums.

Current positions
1st movistar

2nd Pirates of the Caribbean 8 miles from leader

3rd ABN AMRO TWO 20 miles from leader

4th Brasil 1 21 miles from leader

5th Ericsson Racing Team 22 miles from leader

6th ABN AMRO ONE 30 miles from leader