After losing the lead to DMG MORI Global One Monday, both 11th Hour Racing and United by the Ocean have made big gains again as Day 7 has progressed.
The two chasing boats still right next to each other, but only a couple of miles behind.
On board long-time race leader 11th Hour Racing, skipper Francesca Clapcich said her team was trying to hang on in the top group, despite the new conditions not being optimum for the American boat.
The skipper of 11th Hour Racing is clearly relishing this fascinating battle, with less than 1,000 nautical miles [1,150 miles | 1,852 kilometers] to go to the finish and a tricky weather picture ahead for the final stages into Lorient.
The moderating weather conditions out in the North Atlantic, after several days of breakneck pace for the crews of the 60-foot, foil-assisted IMOCA yachts, have given the sailors a welcome opportunity to eat, sleep, and recharge themselves physically and mentally.
In sixth place, the smiles had returned to the faces of Conrad Colman’s New Zealand crew aboard MSIG Europe, after the non-foiling boat broke out of the light winds of the previous day and into stronger downwind conditions. On Monday afternoon, the Kiwi entry was sailing at 12 knots, 440 nm behind the leaders.
The leaders are currently expected into Lorient overnight Thursday, 10 September to the morning of Friday, 11September.