With half the world left to race it may seem of little consequence to anyone else but for the leading duo the heat is on with Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire) looking to re-take the lead from Francois Gabart (MACIF), who has been in front since December 11.
Le Cleac'h aka the Jackal had closed to within just eight miles of the Goldenboy Gabart at the 1900hrs UTC (2000hrs French time) ranking and at this rate will overtake Gabart overnight. Gabart was just 20 miles from the East Australia gate at the ranking.
Further south towards Australia, Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) and Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) continue gybe and weave together too as they head down to the gate and the Pacific beyond.
