The heat is rising and the wind is dropping on leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race as the eight yachts reach for the equator, now just 540 nautical miles to the north.
The yachts are about to cut the corner of Brazil and after passing Punta de Padras, the north-eastern point of South America, the open Atlantic Ocean lies in front of them.
News Corp had to take the heaviest beating, losing 15 miles when the wind went through all 360 degrees and got very light. SEB made gains in the back of the fleet and is back in contact with the yachts in places five to seven. Jon Gunderson, former News Corp crewman and now racing on SEB reported feeling like being on an alien spacecraft in the frenzy of sail changes because of the different deck layout. Amer Sports One, djuice and Amer Sports Too ran out of wind and are desperately searching for a new lane across the tropical waters.
Tyco, ASSA ABLOY and illbruck had slowed down as well and will face light air over the next few days.
Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 6, 0958 GMT
| Position |
Yacht |
DTF |
SMG |
DTL |
PO |
| 1 |
Assa Abloy |
3470 |
7 |
0 |
28 |
| 2 |
Team Tyco |
3473 |
6.9 |
3 |
25 |
| 3 |
illbruck |
3473 |
6.8 |
3 |
35 |
| 4 |
News Corp |
3501 |
4.4 |
31 |
24 |
| 5 |
Amer Sports One |
3517 |
8.8 |
47 |
26 |
| 6 |
djuice |
3520 |
9.3 |
50 |
20 |
| 7 |
Amer Sports Too |
3525 |
10 |
55 |
9 |
| 8 |
Team SEB |
3526 |
10.2 |
56 |
13 |
