Tracking north
The wind is bringing the fleet slightly further north, setting up an anticipated gybe for the leaders over the next 24 hours as they jump the final hurdle between themselves and Cape Town...The front pack is continuing its relentless charge towards CApe Town, with MAPFRE leading the charge.
Despite seeing its lead drop from 25 miles to 18 miles over the past 12 hours, skipper Xabi Fernández is positive about the conditions on board.
"It is going quite well, the strong wind has already caught us, although it has favored the boats behind and there has been a compression..." he said on Tuesday night.
"The conditions are good, the wind does not go above 30 knots and the sea state is good. These are conditions to enjoy more than to be worried, but it is obvious that the boats behind are pushing strong."
Dongfeng Race Team, especially is on a charge, after falling out of the lead over the weekend. Over the past 24 hours, Charles Caudrelier's team has made up about nine miles, at as of 0700 UTC trails by just 18.
Vestas 11th Hour Racing and Team Brunel are also in that leading group, as the conditions change slightly with the leading group approaching a front.
"It's what we expected to see. Everyone is sailing a bit higher, heading a bit more north," explained Vestas 11th Hour Racing skipper Simon Fisher. "Now is the time to head slightly more north and set up to cross the high pressure... It has been improving and we'll come out into southeasterlies on the other side."
Behind the leading four, team AkzoNobel has been caught in the worst of the mix, unable to stay with the leading group and in less favourable conditions compared to SHK/Scallywag and Turn the Tide on Plastic further north.
In fact, on the most recent report, the Scallywags have passed AkzoNobel, setting up a dramatic three way race among the back-markers.