Break neck battle for first

As Open 60 fleet experience strong, bumpy conditions in Regata du Rubicon

Positions at 1100GMT

Pos	Boat	Latitude	Longitude	Speed	Course	DTF	DTL
1	Tiscali Global Challenge	42 46.12' N	9 34.48' W	13.2	190	862.8	0
2	Sill Plein Fruit	42 46.52' N	9 30.76' W	12.7	189	863.9	1.1
3	Bobst Group Armor Lux	42 55.44' N	9 21.44' W	10.8	196	874.3	11.6
4	KingFisher	43 43.00' N	8 54.28' W	9.7	263	897.6	34.9
5	Temenos	43 16.40' N	9 13.40' W	6.6	276	902.9	40.1
6	L'Heautontimoroumenos	43 41.00' N	8 37.84' W	7.9	194	923.3	60.5
7	Virbac	43 31.16' N	8 29.96' W	9.3	197	935.1	72.3
8	Adecco - Etoile Horizon	47 41.56' N	4 25.04' W	8.7	328	1235.8	373

A close contest between race favourite Sill Plein Fruit and her Italian sistership Tiscali Global Challenge is taking place in the Regata de Rubicon. Earlier this morning Sill had taken the lead, but at the 1100GMT report this morning Simone Bianchetti's Tiscali had established herself slightly further to the west.

The boats are currently rounding Cape Finistere in conditions that are brisk, but not gale force as one weather model suggested. Since the positions above it is believed Kingfisher has moved up to third.

"We've had a pretty rough night with up to 35-37 knots of breeze, but I think we got off lightly considering the conditions that were forecast," commented Ellen MacArthur from on board Kingfisher. "We passed through the front several hours ago earlier this morning and the wind quickly shifted through 90 degrees at which point we tacked. It's been a bit cold, a bit wet and a bit miserable, but spirits are high and above all we've been gain miles on the others".