Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.
It's a reversal of fortune for the class leaders. The Class I boats have slowed as they cross the doldrums. Meanwhile Magellan and Cray Valley are moving along at speeds of 9&10 knots in the steady tradewinds.
Fleet Round Up:
Fila has a lead of 93 miles which is 31 more than yesterday. Today Fila crossed the Equator.
Somewhere still trails. Thiercelin will cross the Equator today also. Still he is .6 knots slower than Fila which will not help him catch up.
Magellan Alpha leads Class II by 203 miles 42 less than yesterday. Mike Garside is sailing at a fleet high speed of 10.5 knots.
Cray Valley is 2nd. J.P. Moulgine states "The next 2 or 3 days will decide on who will win this leg"
Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change. Wind of Change is 470 miles back.
www.no-barriers.com has retaken 4th place and is 910 miles back. Neal Petersen sums up a series of difficulties: "I am exhausted from the lack of proper rest. Still have problems charging batteries. Frustrated by comms failure too."
Next is Shuten Dojhi II. Shuten lies 943 miles from 1st place.
Paladin 2 is 990 miles back. Neil Hunter says, "Guess it’s going to be another hard day at the office so I had better settle down to it with a good book as we wait for the predicted SE breeze."
Balance Bar is back racing and trails the lead boats by 1697 miles. Brad is in the midst of a high pressure system which should slow him this weekend.
What does it all mean ?
This weekend may present some tactical situation that allow gaps in the fleet to close. If the gaps don't close this weekend the finishing order may then be set.