Bernard Stamm, in the lead, on ‘Cheminees Poujoulat’ and Kojiro Shiraishi, in second place, on ‘Spirit of Yukoh’ are battling upwind against building sea conditions in the South Atlantic. Stamm reports varying wind directions and strength and slow progress. ‘Cheminees Poujoulat’ is in the mid- South Atlantic 600 miles off Brazil. ‘Spirit of Yukoh’ is 210 miles East of the Falklands, heading North-West at 5 knots.

Meanwhile Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Unai Basurko, in the two Open 60’s, are racing downwind towards Cape Horn, 600 miles East. Knox-Johnston on Saga Insurance is in third position and averaging 12 knots. Basurko on ‘Pakea’ is about 30 miles behind. Sir Robin still has weather instrument problems and he is watching and following Unai Basurko closely. Sir Robin hopes to predict the best course from the Spanairds superior weather data.

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