Volvo Ocean Race Leg 4 - djuice inshore route pays dividends

Djuice dragons with her bow under the water at the start of leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race from Auckland to Rio Photos © Jon Nash

djuice Inshore at Mercury Islands

djuice took the most inshore route at the treacherous Mercury Islands, even passing inside Ohinau Island, to take the lead from News Corp. In the middle of the fleet the battle is on for News Corp, who is currently just at the front of a close fight with Tyco, illbruck and SEB. Tyco has managed to maintain her position from a more leeward course, with illbruck and ASSA ABLOY slightly to windward of the main bulk of the fleet. Amer Sports Too has taken a more offshore route and is approximately three miles to windward of the fleet.

All V.O. 60s are sailing along in a steady 10 - 15 knot easterly wind as the boats head south away from New Zealand.

04:00 Update: Place Changes in Hauraki Gulf

With the V.O. 60 fleet beating out towards Colville just to the south of Great Barrier Island, places have been changing after Tyco's early lead off the start line and round the first two turning marks, and the first six boats are still only separated by less than a mile.

With two more points to pass, the Volvo Ocean Race fleet will then head on into the Southern Ocean for the second time in the race, on this leg 4 to Rio de Janeiro (total distance of 6,700 nautical miles). For the last few days, the weather pattern has given light winds and sea breezes and the boats are battling their way through this, in order to get south as fast as possible to hook into the fast moving low pressure systems of the Southern Ocean.

Volvo Ocean Race Position Report Leg 4, Day 1, 1013 GMT

More Information:

• YachtsandYachting.com Volvo Ocean Race Information Page
• www.VolvoOceanRace.org