The seven-strong Volvo Ocean Race fleet is now split in its decision as to how to cross the Atlantic the quickest. Set up to the south is ABN AMRO ONE (Mike Sanderson) with the rest of the fleet spread out to the north of them, in a distance spanning 24 miles. Brasil 1 (Torben Grael) is the most northerly of this group, while movistar (Bouwe Bekking) has split from the fleet and is pressing hard north alone.

“We haven’t managed to escape the high-pressure system. We have done everything to get as far as possible east, but the high has swallowed us up. The boats in the south and further east have more pressure and a better wind angle than us, and there is nothing we can do about that,” Bekking explains.

Volvo Ocean Race meteorologist, Jennifer Lilly, says that the boats to the north are likely hoping to sail the shortest distance possible, while the boats to the south are hoping to hold on to the strongest breeze. With light winds expected, and continued upwind conditions, the strategy debate between the northerly route and a more easterly course is as lively as ever.

“Looking ahead, lighter winds are expected for the next 24 hours, before the fleet gets into stronger north westerly winds, and downwind sailing conditions, associated with a slow moving low in the mid-Atlantic. While all the teams are looking forward to the downwind sailing, the light air between may play a big role in the outcome of this leg,” explains Lilly.

In the last six hours, the fleet has reshuffled again and ABN AMRO ONE is back in the lead with Ericsson (Neal McDonald) gaining on her in the last six hours and moving up to second place, while the rest of the fleet have all lost miles.

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