The sailors in the Ocean Globe Race have been back at sea for a month now and have had to prove their stamina and ambition. Because the miles since the start of the fourth leg in Punta del Este in Uruguay have been tough. Unstable winds, calm, headwinds, storms and heat have put the crews to the test over the past few weeks.
All 13 yachts now have the equator in their wake. Skipper Marie Tabarly's "Pen Duick VI" is currently leading the field, with the Swan 57 "Explorer" flying the Australian flag bringing up the rear.
Tabarly's crew has reached a good starting position to possibly sail away from the field in the coming days in the area of influence of a low-pressure area that has now been reached, after the fleet's patience was tested for a long time in high-pressure conditions.
Comeback of the Italians
Tabarly's compatriots on "L'Esprit d'equipe" or the Italians on "Translated 9" are currently the most likely to pose a threat to her advance towards line honours. Both crews are currently sailing around one hundred nautical miles behind "Pen Duick VI".
The Italian crew presented the followers of the round-the-world regatta with a real comeback. During the third leg to Uruguay, she had to turn back in the South Atlantic and sail back to the Falkland Islands to repair cracks in the hull. As a result, she was disqualified for the third leg. However, the boat was repaired and brought back to the start of the fourth and final leg, and the crew led by skipper Marco Trombetti now seems highly motivated to compete for victory - even if it will be anything but easy.
Diminishing chances for the pursuers
The crews on "Neptune" (France), "Maiden" (Great Britain) and "Outlaw" (Australia) are also within striking distance of the leading group, but are struggling with weaker winds. With only 2,000 nautical miles to the finish line, their tactical options are dwindling.
The main field around "Galiana WithSecure" (Finland), "Evrika" (France), "Triana" (France) and "White Shadow" (Spain) has also reached the trade winds of the North Atlantic and is travelling at an average speed of six to seven knots. The crews report large fields of brown algae and their frustration with the difficult upwind conditions.
Course award ceremony
The fleet's destination is the Club Royal Yacht Squadron in the English sailing mecca of Cowes, where the yachts are expected to arrive from 11 April. However, according to the organisers, the official award ceremony for the Ocean Globe Race will not take place until much later, on 21 June in Rome.
If you want to follow the fleet on its way to its destination almost in real time, you can use the in the race tracker of the Ocean Globe Race.
