Ericsson 3 (Magnus Olsson/SWE) is stretching out a substantial lead in leg five of the Volvo Ocean Race as the team rides a weather system, which is sweeping them quickly towards Cape Horn and maximum points at the next scoring gate. Magnus Olsson and his men have now pulled out a lead of 208 nautical miles as they continue to average a boat speed of 24.3 knots, almost four knots faster than the chasing duo of Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA) and PUMA (Ken Read/USA). Their latest 24-hour run of 516 nautical miles is 83 nm better than overall race leader Ericsson 4 in the same period.
Ericsson 4 and PUMA remain engaged in battle, a little over 200 miles astern of the leader. At 1300 GMT yesterday, PUMA led from Ericsson 4 by seven miles, but today, when the grey mist cleared briefly, the Ericsson 4 could see PUMA two miles behind. They have since extended the margin by 12 miles.
Green Dragon and Telefónica Blue are both in a position with big breeze and the right angles to cash in and regain some of the massive losses they have suffered to the leading trio.
