Race 2, Day 25: Tactical decisions being made as front of fleet battle it out

With changes in wind speed and direction, there have been a lot of sail changes happening on the top three yachts who are 500 miles away from Rio and racing very close together.

PSP Logistics is now leading the fleet after coming out of Stealth Mode yesterday, with Qingdao 14 miles behind in second place and Jamaica Get All Right falling two places into third, just 9 miles behind Qingdao.

Chris Hollis, skipper of PSP Logistics, describes the last 24 hours on board and gives a fascinating insight into the boat’s decision making process.

“So much for Stealth Mode. Qingdao had crashed our party and found us. We got really focused and managed to slip them in the night. Slowly but surely, we put some distance on them and clawed back the 20-mile lead that Jamaica Get All Right opened up on us. The crew had worked tirelessly. Their motivation and determination not to let setbacks disrupt the focus is phenomenal.

“Today has seen some decisions made tactically. We have decided from the outset to be aggressive with decision making and not settle for the status quo.

“Each decision is not to be taken lightly. Every scenario is play played out, until we think the creases are ironed out. So far so good! We have managed to sneak into the lead by a whisker. This race is shaping up to be a beauty.”

Mission Performance and Switzerland are currently in the middle of the Ocean Sprint section of the course and Invest Africa will start later today.  The overall winner of the two extra points will not be known until all 12 yachts have completed the Ocean Sprint.

For more details of the Ocean Sprint, read the skippers’ reports here. You can keep an eye on the fleet’s progress here at the Official Race Viewer.