Closer and closer

The leading Volvo boats are stuck together like glue

Position report at 0 7.08GMT 27th May 2002
.

		Lat	Long	DTF	DTL	DTLC	CMG	SMG
1	Assa Abloy	50 58.92N	001 03.72E	637	0	0	58	11
2	Tyco	50 59.28N	001 03.00E	637	0	0	57	12
3	News Corp	50 58.36N	001 01.64E	639	2	0	57	12
4	Amer One	50 58.48N	001 01.32E	639	2	1	57	11
5	illbruck	50 56.96N	001 02.36E	639	2	-1	60	12
6	SEB	50 55.61N	001 03.11E	640	3	-1	63	12
7	djuice	50 48.60N	000 38.96E	656	19	-2	63	12
8	Amer Too	50 32.04N	001 01.00W	720	83	11	62	7.5

 

The leading yachts are still making steady progress up the Channel, and are currently five miles south of Beachy Head. They have just 50 miles to run to Dover.

The leading boats will have several hours of adverse tide to contend with as they negotiate the Dover Straits, arguably the busiest stretch of water in the world.

The leading six boats seem to be stuck together by glue, with just four miles between the top six. The slender lead changes by the hour, with Assa Abloy currently leading the pack.

Following a long period of rapid progress after rounding Ushant, the fleet has now slowed as the winds drop to a more normal velocity. Though the tide could yet play a big part in this leg, with the fleet so closely bunched no major gains and losses have been experienced so far.


With stronger south westerly winds set to return in the next 24 hours, the fleet is on course for an early arrival in Goteborg, possibly as early as Wednesday night.

Pages two and three... great pictures of the boats rounding Ushant.