Velux 5-Oceans Race skipper Unai Basurko aboard Pakea, currently in third place is just 300 miles from the second leg finish line in Norfolk, Virginia. It’s now 18 days since race leader Bernard Stamm crossed the line.

The foreceast shows that Basurko is making the most of the 20-kt easterly breeze and if the situation holds he should cross the line tomorrow afternoon.

The podium finish will propel Basurko from fifth to third in the overall rankings. After the leg one, Unai was over five days behind Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who finished third. However, with Saga Insurance still 1,800 miles from the finish, the Basque sailor should guarantee he overtakes Knox-Johnston and Dalton in the general rankings and secure third place before the final sprint home.