The rich get richer.

Classic North Atlantic conditions see the leaders enjoying close racing while the tailenders drop further behind.

John Kostecki's illbruck has interestingly spent the last six hours investing in some southerly miles. Tyco, with Assa Abloy snapping at their heels, still remain the pace setters as the fleet head towards the Atlantic island of Maderia. At the front of the fleet, Tyco and Assa Abloy continue to race as if attached by a short piece of elastic.

Despite being in the lead, the crew of Tyco seem to be enjoying life a little more and are getting some much needed rest and recuperation in. "It's a very pleasant Saturday afternoon onboard Tyco," reported bowman Guy Salter, "we are reaching with the code zero sail up with Assa Abloy still in view below us - in fact they have been in sight for the last day and a half. They prove a very obvious guide to our progress within this small battle within the larger prize of first to Cape Town."

Within eyeshot of Tyco, Roy Heiner's crew on Assa Abloy are revelling in the conditions "Last nights sailing reminded us all why we keep coming back in spite of all the beating and discomfort. We were reaching along in 16 plus knots (breeze) with reaching spinnaker, bright moon, warm air, dolphins chuffing all around and gaining bearing on our chiselling competitors. Not bad for a night shift job," reported co-skipper and Navigator Mark Rudiger.

However, 'Rudi' was also quick to point out that life will take a turn for the worse again soon. "We're enjoying it while we can, because up ahead is light air and blazing heat...not so much fun."

illbruck continue to be one of the most rounded performers in the fleet as they have been able to shake off Grant Dalton's Frers design after several days of neck and neck sailing. "We have been able to see Amer Sports One everyday but finally with some reaching we pulled out 5 miles on them," explained illbruck watch captain Mark Christensen.

This afternoon Team News Corp became the fourth yacht to report masthead problems as their Code 3 spinnaker ripped during a broach last night and they incurred damage to the spinnaker halyard locks. The full crew were put into an extended watch system to repair the damage. Bowman Justin Slattery had the unenviable task of spending six hours at the top of the mast repairing the locks while sail-coordinator, Alby Pratt, sat down below re-stitching the spinnaker.

"We're nearly back up to full speed," said Team News Corp navigator Ross Field this afternoon. "We're about 2.2 miles behind illbruck (at 12.30hrs GMT) and if it hadn't been for the damage, we'd be well in the lead. During the night, we were ahead of Assa Abloy. But we're now back in touch with them, only about 12miles behind. We veered east due to the damage, but we also wanted to get over east close to Madeira and the Canaries to get on a better angle for the eastern side of the Azores High and into the north east trades. "If ocean racing were meant to be easy, everyone would be out here doing it," added Field.

See page two for Mark Rudiger's report and tactical analysis from aboard Assa Abloy....