Things could be better for the front runners in the race right now: Skipper Xabí Fernandez and his team Mapfre are tormenting their way through light winds in the north
Dongfeng's navigator Pascal Bidégorry had already explained it on Monday one day after the start from Newport: "There are different ways to reach Cardiff. Perhaps very different ways. The choice is not easy." In the meantime, however, all teams have made their choices. Dongfeng, Mapfre and Turn the Tide on Plastic were necked north on Monday, and have since been sailing much further north than Brunel, Vestas, AkzoNobel and Sun Hun Kai / Scallywag. With unpleasant consequences, because the north trio torments themselves in light winds of 8 knots, while the south quartet races in a wonderful 20 and more knots of wind with similarly fast boat speeds towards the east.
There have been better days than this: Dongfeng skipper Charles Caudrelier and his navigator Pascal Bidégorry are "not amused" about their current situation
This screenshot from the live tracker shows it very well: The South Boats Freud is currently suffering from the North Boats. While Brunel, AkzoNobel, Vestas and Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag are chasing east at around 20 knots, the northern boats Dongfeng, Mapfre and Turn the Tide on Plastic have to hope for a breath of fresh air, because they are currently only halfway through the British port of Cardiff as fast as the competition in the south
The interim results one and a half days after the starting shot: The Süd-Boats are currently posting big profits
For the old and new front runners Brunel as well as Vestas, AkzoNobel and Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag, things are going splendidly, as can be clearly seen in the live tracker when you switch on the wind animation and place it over the course. As if a red carpet had spread for the leading boats, they are progressing twice as fast as the current "losers" in the north, who in turn hope for a fresh breeze from the south. The wind poker game will continue for a few more days. Only time can tell which investments will have paid off.
AkzoNobel is on the south course behind Team Brunel in the top group
Here you can find the live tracker and the intermediate results
Things are going really well for Vestas 11th Hour Racing: The American-Danish team is currently one of the South winners