Please consult The Around Alone Report Users Guide for an explanation of this report.
Fila sails toward a Leg 4 victory. Meanwhile Class II leader Magellan is also gaining.
Fleet Round Up:
Fila's lead has grown again, now at 467 miles. Even better Fila is sailing at a fleet high 12.4 knots. Fila skipper Giovanni Soldini cheerfully reports, "I broke the rules a bit: I allowed myself three glasses of red wine! I think I've deserved it!" Soldini estimates a May 5th arrival in Charleston. As he sails on Soldini says, "The last 1,000 miles will be difficult, but stern winds aren't forecast. All in all I'm a happy man."
Somewhere is the fleets 2nd fastest boat at 11.9 knots. With such large deficit Somewhere needs more than this.
Magellan Alpha leads Class II by 176 miles 56 better than yesterday. Mike Garside races on in not a moment to lose fashion. A recent e-mail report starts, "I'm grabbing ten minutes away from sail trimming and tweaking to write this - but I may have to dash!"
Cray Valley is 2nd. J.P. Moulgine has been nearly stopped by the Doldrums. At last report Cray Valley's speed was .8 knots. When there is wind in the Doldrums it is not consistent at J.P. reports: "Squall after squall, pouring rain, big thunderstorms and constantly shifting wind." Leg 4 continues to frustrate J.P. as he comments: "This leg has been a nightmare so far and I am starting to miss the Southern ocean."
Next is the first of the 40 foot Class II entries, Wind of Change. Wind of Change is 393 miles back. Wind of Change is across the equator.
www.no-barriers.com is back in 4th place with a 50+ mile advantage over Shuten Dojhi. Neal Petersen describes his day: "Sailed 190 miles in 24 hours in the SE trades. Was extremely tired, and after 5 am local time took a 3-hour sleep to pull back my reserve energy."
Shuten Dojhi II is back to 5th place. Shuten lies 899 miles from 1st place.
Paladin 2 is 1056 miles back.
Balance Bar is back racing and trails the lead boats by 1562 miles. Brad Van Liew is sailing at 9.6 knots best in Class II.
What does it all mean ?
More tough offshore sailing ahead.