New 24 hour record possible

As Volvo fleet experience more gale force winds

Positions at 1000GMT

PS	Yacht	Latitude	Longitude	DTF	DTL	SMG	CMG	ETA
1	illbruck	44 59.28N	037 47.84W	1523	0	20.5	53	09/05/02 16:51
2	Tyco	44 27.84N	038 20.92W	1555	32	19.9	58	09/05/02 19:31
3	Assa Abloy	44 43.08N	038 27.40W	1555	32	19.6	54	09/05/02 19:30
4	SEB	43 37.36N	038 32.80W	1578	55	19.1	53	09/05/02 21:27
5	News Corp	43 44.56N	039 00.92W	1595	72	19.5	49	09/05/02 22:52
6	Amer One	43 44.16N	039 13.56W	1604	81	19.4	52	09/05/02 23:36
7	djuice	43 20.84N	039 09.80W	1609	86	18.3	50	10/05/02 00:01
8	Amer Too	44 38.96N	063 34.24W	4512		0	0	Retired

At present the seven remaining yachts in the Volvo Ocean Race are sailing on a straight northeasterly course, spread across a 50-mile wide track in strong south-southwesterly winds gusting to 35 knots.

John Kostecki's illbruck seem to be relishing the conditions and have further extended their lead over Tyco and ASSA ABLOY who are locked in battle for second place. The disappointment of the boats still racing is Amer Sports One, who at present is in sixth. At present it is unclear whether they are having problems, have been unlucky with the weather or if it is 'the boat'.

In the strong conditions it would seem possible that one of the boats may again better illbruck's 24 hour record as all the lead boats are rocketing along averaging speeds in excess of 20 knots.

Amer Sports Too arrived in Halifax at 0826 GMT this morning. They had received a tow for the last 200 miles from a vessel which had been despatched by the local coastguard. The boat is due to be loaded on to a ship bound for Antwerp on Monday.

See the latest missive from a philosophical Mark Rudiger on page 2...