Since the start on Saturday morning, the six teams have had to battle their way through tactically demanding, light-wind conditions. "It feels like you're doing a tack every 20 minutes," writes Abu Dhabi team reporter Matt Knighton.
The home team Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing had won the start and maintained the lead until the Musadam peninsula, the "hairpin bend" in the Strait of Hormuz. Then the future home team Dongfeng overtook them and was able to extend its lead to over ten nautical miles in the night from Sunday to Monday. However, with easterly winds and a cross course almost due east, the lead shrank to just three and a half nautical miles.
The five pursuers were only around three nautical miles apart and were constantly changing positions. "We're playing cat and mouse," explains Carolijn Brower from Team SCA. "One moves and stops, then we move and stop. It's always forwards and backwards."
But at least on-board reporter Stefan Coppers from Team Brunel also has an eye for beauty during these difficult hours. "The north coast of Oman," he writes: "Sharp rocks jut dangerously high out of the water. The orange sun illuminates the treacherous Strait of Hormuz. It could be a film set. One that would fit into the final scene of a James Bond film. But the famous 007 usually shares such a view with a marvellous Bond girl - between the sheets. The crew of Team Brunel experience it with nine sweaty boys..."
This video from Team Alvimedica shows just how close the first few hours were.
On board with Team Alvimedica
The highlights of the launch off Abu Dhabi
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
