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Skandia dropped down one place overnight after DAVIES fell asleep and sailed in the wrong direction for two miles. The fleet have been waiting for a cold front to pass through and DAVIES had been taking 20 minute sleeps earlier on yesterday evening, to prepare for the waiting game which was to follow...unfortunately she had one sleep too many.

'It's a bit disappointing really because I knew it was coming,' explains DAVIES. 'I waited and waited and waited...I slept earlier in the night because I knew it would be quite windy and that there was going to be a shift. So I was waiting for the shift, I was inside because it was too cold to be outside. I knew I needed to stay awake. This is the first time I was breaking out of my good eating routine...so I ate a packet of M&Ms to try and keep me awake but still there was no wind shift. Then I dosed off… when I woke up the boat was moving a bit differently and I ran out and realized. I suppose it could have been worse I could have been sleep for a bit longer!'

With just 25 miles separating the majority of the fleet, there is still all to play for...and mistakes are punished quickly.

The majority of the fleet are currently sailing in the post frontal north west winds of 16-20 knots. They passed through the cold front early this morning. This north west wind will temporarily reach 25-30 knots later today before decreasing to 15-20 knots by the end of today. The fleet should be able to set spinnakers for a fast downwind leg to the Azores.