The Official
Website of the
International
Sailing Federation

'A wonderful race is still waiting for us on this lovely morning of Bastille Day,' wrote Barclays Adventurer crew member Laurent PELLERIN this morning. 'At the moment we can see seven boats and are kiting at ten knots toward the Raz de Sein, where I started sailing 15 years ago.'

However, the top ten yachts are still within two miles of each other and all teams will no doubt be pushing as hard as they can to seek advantage over their competitors during this short but intense leg.

James ALLEN (GBR) and his team on Me To You are lying a few miles further back in eleventh place after getting caught up in a windless patch yesterday. Nevertheless the mood on board is upbeat as crew-member Mark DOLTON describes, 'As usual the crew on Me To You are fighting hard eager to make up the lost ground. We've had a reasonable night making small gains on the fleet, but we are under no illusions - it's going to be hard.'

'So far the conditions are consistent and we are all doing in the region of ten knots. The night was similar to driving on the M25, not only the Challenge fleet but a whole host of fishing boats and shipping to wind our way through.'

Meanwhile, BP Explorer are now 36 miles behind the fleet leader in twelfth place, having had to turn back to round an obligatory waypoint which they missed yesterday.

It is no doubt a cruel blow for David MELVILLE (GGBR) and his team to see the rest of the fleet so far ahead in such a short leg. However, despite feel intensely disappointed with their situation, skipper MELVILLE said that the team were determined, 'not to let this one silly mistake define our campaign.'

With light winds forecast and possible calm patches ahead, BP Explorer will be looking for opportunities to make gains if those ahead park up.

'Such things have occurred before during the race and may occur during this leg,' reports MELVILLE. 'There is nothing we can do but hope for this and race the boat as hard as we can in anticipation.'