Leading Monohulls in Close Battle

The 55 foot Starlight Express, a Davidson/Bakewell White design and Systems Thunder, a Takei 16m, are racing virtually with-in sight of each other, and both have 346 miles to reach the finish line at Pointe Denouel in Petite Passe.

Maverick II is four miles astern, followed by Hydroflow twenty miles further back.

Second Life, Grant Senior 12m sloop, leads PHRF handicap, followed by Fruition and Rapport in a battle for second place honours.

Anticipation has given up first place on ORC, to the light displacement yacht, Davidson designed, Jive Talkin’ from Kerri Kerri (Bay of Islands).

In the short handed division there is a close race between the Tauranga based Sabian and the ketch rigged Drina, from Sydney.

The wind is light and variable, with light pressure from the south west up to 12 knots at times.

Mizar has withdrawn and is due to make port at Opum for repairs.