Bristol Clipper may still have the lead, but the skippers and crews have still got it all to play for. The latest radio sched shows Bristol edging further ahead once more.

From the outset this race was going to be an exciting sprint with the boats staying in relatively close proximity to each other. But which tactics would win?

All eyes have been placed upon Sam Fuller and the crew of New York since their flyer earlier in the week. We await the outcome – can she pull another win out of the bag whilst the boys do battle amongst themselves? Whichever way it goes, it’s sure to be close.

Meanwhile, the majority of the jostling has been contained to the mid fleet with only ten miles between Cape Town, Liverpool, Hong Kong, Glasgow and London.

Over the past few days there has been much movement within the fleet, most notably for Cape Town with a welcome return to the leading pack. With Roger and crew looking for an elusive podium finish, this is sure to boost crew morale no end.

So far in this race there have been no close encounters with the authorities except maybe for a slight brush with the “fish police” which saw Liverpool Clipper altering course quite quickly due to a large netted area, several brightly coloured buoys and an irate local. Thankfully no harm was done – just a poignant reminder to keep a keen lookout at all times.

London Skipper Rory on the other hand has informed us that it’s just like being back in Southampton water with the amount of commercial traffic they’re having to contend with and obviously the proximity of said vessels. Possibly not as exotic as he was hoping for!

Finally things will look a lot clearer once the boats have passed the Admiral Togo waypoint, which will then give them a clear wayline to the gates and subsequently to Shanghai. All being well and the wind staying with the fleet, this should have happened for all the boats within the next twenty-four hours.