Having lost his lead briefly overnight to Sebastien Gladu (Armor Lux), Corentin Douguet on E Leclerc-Bouygues Telecom has, this morning, regained his position at the top of the fleet.
British sailor Phil Sharp, on Le Gallais continues to hold on to third place on starboard gybe but Yves Le Blevec on Point Mariage has closed the gap overnight to just a couple of miles.
Sharp is now 25 miles astern of the leader with 260 miles to the finish and will be passing Maderia to the east later today.
The leading two boats have spent the night dueling in a 10kt northerly and are still less than two miles apart with 250 miles to go to the finish of the first leg in Lanzarote.
Initial race leader, Alex Pella, who made a bad call by heading too far inshore along the Portuguese coast earlier in the week has successfully gained a few places but now in 12th place, is still struggling to find an overtaking lane and is currently battling it out with British sailor Nick Bubb with less than a mile between them.
Bubb sailing Whittlebury Hall has gained three places over the last 24 hours and is now lying 13th. Clemency Williams - Bubb's Weather router - says that the wind over the next 24 hours is likely increase to 15kts throughout the day and then veer to the north east overnight (Friday). Commenting on the next 24 hours, Williams said: "As the fleet passes through 33N the fleet should be moving in to the stable, north-easterly trades which are blowing at 20kts. The first boats are expected to arrive across the finishing line early Saturday morning."
Sue Pelling/Yachting World, 23 September 2005
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Having lost his lead briefly overnight to Sebastien Gladu (Armor Lux), Corentin Douguet on E Leclerc-Bouygues Telecom has, this morning, regained his position at the top of the fleet.
