Zaraffa has taken the lead in the DaimlerChrysler North Atlantic Challenge

After almost 48 hours of racing in the DaimlerChrysler North Atlantic Challenge, a core group of boats has charged out ahead of the pack of 58 entries. The small group of boats trailing Zaraffa include Anny, Vita Bella, Tempest and Snow Lion, skippered by New York Yacht Club Commodore Lawrence S. Huntington. Zaraffa is currently the overall leader.

All yachts must honor a “Point Alpha,” which is set at 40N 50W and established to keep yachts safely out of the area off the East Coast of North America known as Iceberg Alley.

The weather data suggests a high-pressure system will be coming down over the fleet, bringing light winds for a day or day and a half and holding steady just west and south of Point Alpha.