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Tyco holds slim lead in Volvo

The fleet began its journey from Auckland to Rio on Sunday

AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Team Tyco clings to a narrow lead in the fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race as light winds cause problems for the leading yachts.

Tyco struggled around East Cape on the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island two miles ahead of Amer Sports One, and a further mile in front of Djuice, third.

Race leader Illbruck of Germany, skippered by American John Kostecki, was reported a mile further back in fourth place, four miles from the leader.

SEB, News Corp and Assa Abloy were in fifth, sixth and seventh places only three miles apart as seven miles covered the first seven boats in the eight-yacht fleet.

Amer Sports Two and its all-female crew had made up some ground after a poor start on Sunday and was five miles back, 12 miles from leading team Tyco.

The women were sailing in stronger winds than the race leaders but heading into the same area of low pressure and light airs.

Tyco was reported sailing in a five-knot easterly breeze and a one to two-metre swell. The leading yachts were all sailing in similar conditions.

Light to moderate easterly winds are forecast for some time, though the leading fleet may encounter up to 15 knots of breeze in light showers overnight.

The eight yachts were expected to head south quickly as possible to pick up the westerly winds which will carry them to Cape Horn.

The fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean race around the world covers 6,700 miles from Auckland to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, through some of the world's wildest and most remote seas.

The yachts are expected to be in sight of the famous Cape landmark within 14 days and to reach Rio de Janeiro about nine days later.

The global race began in Southampton on September 23. After Rio de Janeiro, the yachts sail to Miami; Baltimore; La Rochelle, France; and Gothenburg, Sweden. The race ends in Kiel, Germany, in June.

The teams had been in Auckland since arriving on January 3 from Sydney.