Loz MARRIOTT , skipper of Pindar offers an explanation as to why they may have lost ground: “We had seen this wind hole for some time but there was nothing we could do except go straight for the waypoint. We reckon this is going to last at least 24hours. However, once we have good winds to take us to Cape Town, the next thing to look at is the approach to Table Mountain and the Bay. The understanding here is that there is mostly a large wind hole around the finish depending on the wind direction, due to Table Mountain so places could be won or last here.”

Team Stelmar's skipper, Clive COSBY quickly told Race HQ this afternoon, whilst heading straight back into battle with Pindar: “The light patch is due to fill with more wind from the North, so we will try to stay North of Pindar & then quickly get across Aghulas current.”

Dee CAFFARI, skipper of Imagine It. Done was also feeling the pressure of the calmer winds and the threat of her closest rival: “We’re sat in a big fat high pressure cell that will move east across us and then we’ll have breeze to Cape Town.

We need to try and keep the yacht moving as best we can in the right direction. Spirit of Sark are on our tail and whoever comes out of this first will be ahead for the line.

The high pressure elongates across the South of the Cape so there were limited options and we chose the shortest route and most direct crossing of cell!”

Once again the next 48 hours are going to be crucial to see who judges the conditions the most effectively