© Virtual Regatta
Just like in the race proper, a Spanish boat is leading the way: player faralai is in pole position in a fleet of more than 76,000 with just over 1,600 nautical miles left of Leg 2 to sail.
For the Volvo Ocean Race fleet the approach into Cape Town is forecast to be a quick one as they hook onto a fast-moving depression that will catapult them east.
The virtual fleet, however, is much wider spread across the South Atlantic.
After 15 days at sea, less than six miles separate faralai from second placed boat bebert64 from France, with Canada’s PAINTDRI in third just over 12 miles from the leader.
While faralai and PAINTDRI opted for a shorter, more inshore route, gybing down the African coastline, bebert64 went much further to the west and south in search of better breeze.
It could take another four or five days to reach the finish line – and during that time there will be plenty of opportunities for the scores of virtual skippers chasing faralai. In fact, it couldn’t be any tighter at the top – at the latest ranking there were just 90 miles between first place and 50th.
Will the virtual skippers who chose shorter distance over breeze prosper, or will those who followed the Volvo Ocean Race fleet on their more traditional route far south triumph? Only time will tell.
If you’re a player in the virtual game don’t forget to send in your photos of yourselves playing the game to the Volvo Ocean Race daily show at dailyshow@volvooceanrace.com. You could be in with a chance of winning an official Volvo Ocean Race jacket courtesy of Musto.
