Main Page | Newsletter | Sailing calendar | America's Cup | Glossary

Volvo leaders cross equator

Illbruck was the first boat to cross the equator

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- The leaders of the Volvo Ocean Race -- Illbruck, Tyco and Assa Abloy -- have all crossed the equator, marking the transition back into the northern hemisphere.

Illbruck, the current leader of the fifth leg and the overall Volvo Ocean Race leader, crossed the imaginary line at 0132 GMT on Sunday, followed just six minutes later by Tyco.

Assa Abloy was not far behind Tyco in crossing the line and has now overtaken Tyco, moving into second position.

Illbruck skipper John Kostecki, who had slipped to second position on Friday behind Tyco, said: "The few miles that we have as a lead at the moment we know can go away quickly in a cloud.

YOUR SAY E-mail us with your views  on the world of sailing   INSIDE SAILING • SEB leaves Amer wooden spoon  • Illbruck damaged in collision off Rio  • Volvo boats prepare for leg five  • Illbruck sets fast pace      QUICKVOTE Can Illbruck maintain its lead in the Volvo Ocean Race? Yes No View Results

"We've been sailing the boat really hard and it seems to be paying off a little bit and we've possibly been playing the clouds better than our competitors."

While the three boats at the front continue to jockey for the lead, the back of the fleet has seen big changes over the weekend.

On Friday, team SEB had moved up from last to sixth position in the waters outside Brazil, with Amer Sports One and Too taking turns in the last position.

Lisa McDonald, skipper of Amer Sports Too's all female crew, said it is far too early in the leg to make predictions: "One of the big differences is that we've got 20,000 miles under our belts in these boats and hopefully we've learned a few things.

"We're trying to apply what we learned on leg one. When you sail the boat in these conditions it is a case of 'he who makes the least mistakes will get ahead.'

"It is being on top of absolutely every minute detail of trim, trimming over waves and around clouds and making the right sail changes and calls without making a mistake."

More place changes are in store before as the boats cross the Doldrums.

As the boats head northwest towards Miami, Florida News Corp commands the right side to the northeast, while SEB, in fourth position, moved to the left side in the southeast.

Amer Sports One and Djuice are currently in sixth and eighth positions respectively. News Corp is holding seventh position but has moved to the northeast, potentially making it easier for it to sail faster than those to the southwest.

When the boats leave the Doldrums and get into the steady Trade Winds, the race is set to become a boat drag race. The leaders will increase their margin over the next 24 hours as they are first to break into the stronger Trade Winds, but according to News Corp's Ross Field, all is not over yet.

"There's still plenty of yachting left in this race. Even though we are coming into the Trades, it does turn around coming up to Barbuda; they [the leaders] might run into light patches. There are definitely places to pass," he said.

Volvo Ocean Race Overall standings after four legs: