On this Saturday morning Somewhere continues to lead Class I and Balance Bar leads Class II. 5 of the 6 Class I boats (Modern University for the Humanities is the exception) are past the equator and into the Souther Hemisphere. However, Somewhere's lead is tenuous as Isabelle Autissier and PRB have closed to within 9 miles. Gartmore continues in 3rd place 59 miles out of 1st.
Balance Bar is leading Class II and trying to make it around the hump of Brazil. Things are obviously going well for Van Liew. As always in Around Alone there are obstacles to overcome. Van Liew has been having jib lead car problems: "I have now broken 2 of the things and pounding for days to windward seems to cycle and fatigue them until they part." Balance Bar's primary objective is to make it around Brazil and still have her 26 lead. Cray Valley is the 2nd place yacht in Class II. She has developed mainsail problems. Skipper J.P. Mouligne noticed that 2 battens had come out of their pockets. J.P. will attempt to fix this problem ASAP so he does not lose more ground. He sums up his mood this way: "I was a lot happier a couple of days ago with a 40-mile lead, But so this is life--it makes for an exciting race!"
The 3rd place Class II yacht Magellan Alpha also has trouble. From Magellan Alpha Mike Garside reports: "Things here looking a bit dire at the moment. I have sprung a hydraulic leak and lost enough oil to lose control of my keel." However, Mike was able to contact his shore crew for advice on this serious problem. Using their advice he managed: "Got the keel now centred and locked off." Their still appears to be air in the hydraulic system, but for now he is well enough to sail on, and try to regain miles on the yachts ahead.
4th in Class II is still South Carolina. Robin Davie comments that at sea you have a way of losing time: "i thought today was thursday, -but, it seems that its friday,- well at least its not saturday or i'd have lost 2 days - whats for sure is that its nearly the weekend - so have a good one." Rapscallion III trails South Carolina and then comes www.no-barriers.com who has again overtaken Shuten Dojhi II. From Shuten Dojhi Minouro Saito e-mails that he has auto pilot problems: "Good morning, but no good this morning for me. Now I can't use autohelm7000." Neal Petersen on www.no-barriers.com continues to sail in rough seas: "Today I was seasick. I actually put my head into the bucket and made an offering."
The fleet will continue to progress north, with the boats in the back of the fleet battling with the Doldrums.