Dueling Skippers, MacArthur and Golding

On Saturday, in 16-20 knots of breeze the frontrunners were gliding with the wind from behind on the southern border of the Azores anticyclone. Blue skies and stabilising conditions were very much welcomed, but competitors knew that the hard work was not over. The two British rivals leading the monohull fleet were continuing sailing side by side, neither of them willing to let go. There was no time for rest.

Ellen MacArthur reported: "I hardly slept last night, there were constant wind shifts and changes of sails. It is very tiring. Mike Golding is right next to me and there is a little bit of a battle between us…We have crossed each others paths several times but now our courses will separate. Mike is heading north, but I am heading down south. I will be reaching on one long port tack and it will not be easy. You really have to be careful in the last bit to the Caribbean."

On Sunday, after almost 2000 miles of racing, the two Brits continued to be locked together in front of the fleet. The rubber band had extended but did not snap. In the last days the two rivals have been crossing each other's paths several times hunting down the best option towards the West Indies. The young female skipper is fighting it out "a donf" and the former fireman of the "Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service" is used to not giving in. Mike Golding had not slept at all last night and this morning Ellen MacArthur pointed out the intensity: "It's true combat!"

In 25 knots of wind, giant spinnaker, and full main sail, Ellen MacArthur would not leave the helm last night, to be in full control of Mike Golding. Kingfisher is keeping her distance to Ecover, with a 26 mile lead at 0700 GMT. The two are on practically exactly the same course. Sill is continuing climbing the ladder and is now in 4th position, 133 miles behind Joé Seeten on Acerlor-Dunquerque. The leaders are on starboard tack, still on the southern border of the anticyclone. They will not encounter full trade wind conditions until they gybe down to port tack.

MacArthur and Kingfisher

Ellen did try to get some rest to be prepared for the intense conditions to come: "have practically slept ALL night in 30 minute clusters - just knew if I didn't do it now I wouldn't get the chance..."

Australian Nick Moloney on Ashfield Healthcare had a hard time yesterday in the fluky conditions of the Azores High, and lost almost 40 miles to Florys, second in the 50-foot monohull class. Moloney still has a 40 mile lead over his rival, and Ashfield Healthcare is starting to speed up. Monday, squall conditions with 25-35 knots of wind, requires the solo competitors to be very careful with their huge sail cloth area in the fast downwind conditions.

Stève Ravussin, leading the trimaran fleet (TechnoMarine) revealed this morning that his starboard foil broke and the net was ripped when he was hit by a powerful wave two days ago. 15 hours of repairs has fixed the problem and everything is in order. In the 24 hours to come it will be interesting to follow the two ORMA trimarans behind the leader. Will Lalou Roucayrol on Banque Populaire get out of the high pressure system in the north and reach the trade winds before Géant has gained too many miles in the stable trade winds of the south?

Yvan Bourgnon finally left Rexona Men last night after five days in the interior of his overturned trimaran. He is safe and sound on the towboat.

Leading boats 07.00 GMT: ORMA 60' multihulls: Stève Ravussin TechnoMarine IMOCA 60' monohulls: Ellen MacArthur Kingfisher Class 2 50' monohulls: Nick Moloney Ashfield Healthcare Class 3 40' monohulls: Régis Guillemot Storagetek Class 2 50' multihulls: Frank Yves Escoffier Crepes Whaou!