Fleet Closes on East Cape

The Volvo Ocean Race fleet have bunched up together close to the coast at East Cape as they struggle to beat around the point in the predicted lighter winds.

Tyco still leads the fleet and has just rounded East Cape some half a mile off the point, with Amer Sports One close behind and also round, followed by djuice. illbruck has opted for a slightly more offshore route, and is around two miles from the coast in marginally less breeze. News Corp, SEB and ASSA ABLOY still have to put in some more tacks to make it round, but are nevertheless in the same light winds as the leaders. Amer Sports Too has yet to sail into this lighter air and is currently sailing in around 10 knots of wind.

With the high pressure predicted to move to towards the east later today, winds are expected to pick up a little to around 15 knots with possible showers.

Volvo Ocean Race Position Report, Day 2, 0359 GMT:

PSYachtLatitude LongitudeDTFCMGSMGTFHRDTLDTL-C ETA PO
1TYCO37 42.40S178 33.88E0651212007.41740019 FEB 0212
2AONE37 41.00S178 34.00E0651411607.61752019 FEB 0218
3DJCE37 40.24S178 33.88E0651511907.71743+119 FEB 0210
4ILBK37 39.84S178 35.16E0651611507.61764+219 FEB 0221
5TSEB37 38.68S178 33.04E0651611707.61734+119 FEB 0211
6NEWS37 38.56S178 31.76E0651710707.21715+219 FEB 0216
7AART37 36.60S178 29.96E0651910307.31707+219 FEB 0215
8ATOO37 34.80S178 23.12E0652411908.116612-319 FEB 025