Neck and neck as leaders race onwards to Brazil

SAILING/VOLVO OCEAN RACE:AFTER FINALLY entering the South Atlantic last week, the leg-five leaders of the Volvo Ocean Race started a 2,000 mile match-race to the finishing line off Italjai, Brazil with en expected arrival for next weekend.

American Ken Read on Puma finally over-hauled Franck Cammas on Groupama 4 yesterday as both boats entered an area of light winds west of the Falkland Islands.

At least another two such transition zones are expected as they route northwards along the coast of Argentina.

Read held a slim eight-mile lead over Cammas although neither was in sight of the other and the standings are effectively neck and neck in this 6,700 mile leg.

Overall race leader Iker Martinez has held third place in the leg after stopping for repairs after rounding Cape Horn early on Saturday. Race rules require a minimum stop of 12 hours in such circumstances and the Spaniards also put their bowman ashore after injury caused in the heavy conditions of the Southern Ocean over the past two weeks.

Two other boats remain at sea in the Pacific, both with damage caused by the slamming of the boats in the seaway.

Chris Nicholson’s Camper is heading for the Chilean port of Puerto Montt for repairs. About a day behind, Ian Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team is also recovering from damage though the double-Olympic medallist’s intentions are still unconfirmed.

Walker could continue towards the Horn and on to Itajai to claim fourth place ahead of Camper if Nicholson is able to continue. But the Emirati boat appears to be shadowing Camper’s intentions and could also be making for Puerto Montt.

Both boats face a common problem. Even with speedy repairs to their boats, Cape Horn is a further 800 miles to the south before another 2,000 miles to the finish.

And the Southern Ocean “summer” weather window appears to be closing, further adding to the challenge facing both skippers. Arrival in Itajai in time for the In-Port race already appears unlikely, which will hamper Nicholson’s hopes of improving on his current third place in the overall race standings.

Cammas appears set to close the gap to Martinez and a win for this leg would bring the Frenchman to within five points of the lead.