Telefonica skipper Iker Martinez gave the lie to those of the opinion that in-port races are a trivial side-dish to the main courses of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Former Olympic champion Martinez committed a schoolboy error which not only cost Telefonica their third in-port race win in Itajai, Brazil, but saw their overall lead cut instead of taking the opportunity to stretch it.

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE: A hasty sail change fails to get Telefonica back into the in-port race.

Martinez sailed around the wrong turning buoy mid-way in the race and as the Spanish team sailed off course Groupama and the rest of the fleet sailed past them to leave Telefonica trailing in last.

Telefonica’s lead is now cut to 16 points, a slim advantage considering each of the remaining four legs is worth 30 points apiece to the winner.

VIDEO 1 HERE. “IN PORT, IN TROUBLE; Highlights of the in-port race which could prove costly to overall leaders Telefonica.”

Martinez willingly took the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, admitting: “There were two marks and I chose the wrong one.

“It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever made a mistake like that so I feel terrible for the shore crew who had worked so hard.”

SWEET TASTE OF VICTORY : Groupama skipper Franck Cammas gets the Grand Prix treatment after victory in the in-port race.

When Leg 6 from the Brazilian port to Miami got under way, Puma carried through the momentum from their Leg 5 victory by taking the early lead as the fleet deliberated their tactics.

MAKING AMENDS: Telefonica skipper Iker Martinez and Pablo Arrarte check the latest reports as they try to make up ground on Puma.

DEEP IN THOUGHT: Abu Dhabi skippers Ian Walker contemplates life and other issues over the rail.

MIAMI DOLPHIN: Camper attracts some playful friends en route to Miami.

A leg which carries the fleet through the capricious and pernicious wind zones either side of the Equator requires experience, know-how, and a gambler’s instinct as skippers decide whether to swing out into a wide arc to gain an eventual sling-shot from the Northern Hemisphere winds, or to steer a more conservative course closer to the Brazilian shore line.

The fleet had split into three, with Camper and Abu Dhabi to the north-west, Telefonica and Groupama to the south-east, and Puma in the middle as they race to make it to the Trade Winds first.

VIDEO 2 HERE: “SPLIT PERSONALITIES: The fleet splits and goes its own ways to find a route to the Trade Winds.”

Camper suffered a scare with something that went BANG! in the night as they broke a tack line while changing a sail.

DARK FORCES: Tony Mutter checks the sail trim to ensure Puma keeps its nose in front.

OILING THE MACHINE: Telefonica’s Jordi Calafat looks back at an oil platform off the Brazilian coast.

“It was the kind of explosive bang that booms from somewhere on the boat, everything goes silent for one long second until it’s figured out what’s broken, if everyone is OK and what the next move is,” said Media Crew member Hamish Hooper.

MR FIXIT: Camper skipper Chris Nicholson examines the broken tack line.

BOWLING ALONG: Puma makes good speed in the light conditions.