Vaio takes lead

Change at the front, and a dislocated shoulder at the back, in the Global Challenge

After nearly 500 miles of racing Samsung has lost her lead to VAIO a result of having clung on to their easterly position a fraction too long and not making it to the Rhum line in time.

Most of the yachts have passed the Fernando De Noronha Islands, which lie 225 miles to the North East of the Brazilian coast, for the final drag race down the coast of South America.

VAIO, led by Italian skipper Amedeo Sorrentino are now enjoying pole position with a three mile lead against their rivals who will undoubtedly be kicking themselves for their first tactical error in the race. Imagine It. Done is also in danger of losing ground, as is Pindar, who have been following the easterly position, whereas Team Stelmar have made up ground by being on the inside.

Hard at it in the middle of the fleet is 6th place Spirit of Sark, set to make another move through the fleet with the highest 24-hour run of 238 miles. Their sights are now firmly on BG SPIRIT and just 2 miles which separates the two yachts.

All of the yachts have passed the doldrums, given Neptune more than his fair share of gifts and sacrifices and are now racing towards the first port of call – Buenos Aires.

The yachts will now be broad reaching down the coast and need the wind to stay at its current speed for some time. However, there is an anomaly with variable weather in the vicinity of Capo Frio (near Rio de Janeiro) with evidence of current frontal activity.

Trouble stricken Team Save The Children, now 604 miles from the leader, have encountered yet another obstacle. Anthony Campbell explains: "Another valuable lesson:- never believe that things can't get worse than they already are!

"As is prone to happen though, in the unpredictable doldrums, a squall suddenly whipped up some breeze and we started moving- hooray. However we quickly realised that there was too much sail up for the sudden wind and had to get our biggest headsail the Genoa down to be replaced by the smaller number 1 Yankee.

"As we were dropping there was an anguished cry from just below
me, something had gone wrong and worryingly the cry had come from John (Bluett).

"It wasn't good. JB had dislocated his shoulder and was as white as a sheet and in considerable pain. His shoulder was severely displaced and it was apparent that we would have to get his shoulder realigned and back in it socket- not pretty!

"Remarkably we managed to get the shoulder back in place first time round. To lose JB at this stage in the race is a hammer blow we could have done without. He is a workhorse and one of the most important crewmembers on the yacht. If anything on the yacht needs fixing we call in JB. He never fails to amaze us with his list of skills. So far he's saved the water maker, fixed our computer and spinnaker pole, as well as sealed leaks in our heads and hull. More often than not we wonder what on earth we'd do without him."

As a key member on the bow team, this will be another blow for the crew, which seems to have been besieged with problems including a water maker failure earlier on in the race.

Leaderboard - Distance to finish

VAIO 2,123
Samsung 2,126
Barclays Adventurer 2,143
BP Explorer 2,177
BG SPIRIT 2,186
Spirit of Sark 2,188
SAIC La Jolla 2,220
Team Stelma 2,259
Imagine It. Done 2,273
Me To You 2,367
Pindar 2,405
Team Save the Children 2,727