The Countdown To Sydney

The weather development is dominated by three systems in the area.

A heat low is permanently located over the Australian continent, a high-pressure system lies off Western Australia and a low is passing south of the fleet with the centre at 55 South. The leading yachts are under the influence of this Southern Ocean low and as the pressure is dropping further, the wind increases.

Amer Sports one is betting on this card and are sailing further south. They already recorded up to 32 knots of wind speed. Illbruck, as the most southern yacht, sails in 28 knots and djuice reports 25. News Corp and ASSA ABLOY managed to cut some miles off the distance to the leaders. Both put their hopes to catch up in the light conditions they expect at Bass Strait.

Amer Sports Too gets its wind from the low pressure system over Australia, lying north of them and creating easterly winds at the South Australian coast. Less than 300 miles in latitude make the difference. As the Southern Ocean Low is moving east and the high as well as the Australian low are expanding, these winds will gain in strength.

Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 20, 0956 GMT:

PSYachtLatitude LongitudeDTFCMGSMGTFHRDTLDTL-C ETA PO
1TSEB40 15.12S135 38.48E0093411315.83620+003 DEC 0111
2ILBK40 36.76S135 20.48E0095011616.336816+204 DEC 0115
3NEWS39 59.60S134 10.92E0100110716.134767-504 DEC 0112
4AART40 29.76S133 48.64E0101911216.735685-304 DEC 019
5DJCE39 51.52S133 08.40E0104910815.7341115-304 DEC 016
6AONE40 14.68S132 42.36E0106911114.8328135+404 DEC 0110
7ATOO35 48.48S125 33.52E0144517407.7ND511+6905 DEC 013
8TYCO33 58.00S025 38.12E—–+0–