Half way there

The Volvo Ocean Race leaders are round Fernando de Noronha

Reaching south in constant breezes, the relative speeds of the five leading boats can be measured only in minute increments if at all. "Once again the speed difference between the boats is scarcely measurable, the sked often only showing fractions of a mile," reports Kevin Shoebridge from aboard Tyco. When the six-hourly position reports show gains and losses in fractions of a mile you know the race is going to be close. When the distances gained or lost regularly stand at precisely zero, there really is nothing between them.

For four out of five, this analysis holds totally true, report after report. illbruck however does seem to have a minute advantage. Four miles further ahead of Assa Abloy than she was this time yesterday, the hours, weeks and years of sail testing look to be paying of for John Kostecki's team.

Do not however write of any of the following pack yet. As Mark Rudiger so rightly points out, with the boats so close, just one error can cost many places. "Roy Heiner and I were commenting yesterday how you work for a week to gain five miles, and you could loose it all in half an hour."

Like soldiers in file on a route march, the leaders have been passing the first mark of the course, Ilha de Fernando Noronha. illbruck passed the waypoint at noon with Assa Abloy approximately two hours behind. News Corp, Tyco and Amer Sports One followed in their turn.

At the rear of the fleet, SEB, Amer Sports Too and djuice have yet to enjoy the relief of the equatorial crossing ceremony, experienced by the other crews earlier today. These three continue their own race within leg one to Cape Town. "The leading pack is pulling away and the distance is now too big. No conventional sailing will bring that distance back," reflected Gurra Krantz from SEB. On Amer Sports Too, Lisa McDonald's crew look like being relegated into last place. Despite their failing fortunes, the crew are clearly upbeat about their position and continue to push for every mile over the other two. "It is hard to describe the determination in all the crew to find a puff of air to take us a fraction of a knot faster," says Eleanor Hay from onboard, adding, "This is definitely more than a job, it is a passion,"

Earlier Grant Dalton, skipper on Amer Sports One reported, "Another day like yesterday and we continue to lose ground from not being able to use our Code Zero." For the past two days, the weather has been perfect for Dalton to use his big spinnaker but the lack of halyard locks makes it difficult. "We have put the Code 0 up on a halyard, but the luff is loose because we cannot get tension and it will eventually break" reports Dalton, adding that he cannot sit back and watch the two boats that are within striking distance simply sail off into the sunset.

The Volvo Ocean Race fleet is now established in the southeast trade wind belt. The leaders will continue to see stronger winds than those still north of the equator. The generally fair conditions are expected to continue, with only a small risk of isolated thundery showers.

Page two.... Mark Rudiger gives a personal account of crossing the equator.
Page three...Tony Kolb reports on the Equator Crossing ceremonies aboard illbruck Page four.... Positions at 0400 12 October 2001