Race 2 Day 6: Yachts fly spinnakers again as they match race side by side

Old Pulteney and Henri Lloyd have been competing against each other side by side as the yachts fly their spinnakers for the first time since before Rio.

Just a few boat lengths have separated Henri Lloyd and Old Pulteney at times, and just 0.3 miles divides leaders Team Garmin and second-placed PSP Logistics at the moment.

Patrick van der Zijden, skipper of sixth placed Old Pulteney, describes the hard work his team is putting in to try and stave off seventh placed Henri Lloyd.

“We have been in a match race with Henri Lloyd for the last two hours, and have been side by side separated by a few boat lengths. They sneaked upon us out of the dark and slowly gained on us because they are running their lightweight spinnaker and we are running a medium weight spinnaker. The team pulled off an amazing switch of kites without losing the grip on our opponents.

“Yesterday saw us sailing in the same direction and hoisting the kite for the first time since the start of this leg. In the meantime we have been changing over kites a few times with the last one done just now in the dark under pressure, well done team!”

To see how the fleet is progressing, click here. To read all the skippers' reports, click here.