Four of five boats in the Barcelona World Race are back in the Atlantic Ocean as this weekend first Temenos II and then, just hours later, Mutua Madrilena rounded the famed Cape Horn. They join race leader Paprec-Virbac 2 and second-placed Hugo Boss in the Atlantic Ocean. That leaves just Educacion sin Fronteras still in the Southern Ocean.
On Sunday afternoon skippers Albert Bargues and Servane Escoffier were roaring towards the Cape at 15 knots, knocking off another 350-mile day. With the Cape less than 700 miles away, Educacion sin Fronteras should join the others in the Atlantic Ocean by early Tuesday (GMT) at the latest.
On Saturday, it was first Temenos II and then Mutua Madrilena who turned their backs on the Southern Ocean. For Mutua Madrilena, it was a momentous occasion; not only had they rounded Cape Horn, but they were the fastest boat in the fleet over this long stage from Wellington, New Zealand to Cape Horn.
By sailing so quickly on the sixth stage of the race, Mutua Madrilena has closed up significantly on Temenos II, finishing the week just 89 miles behind. That means the Atlantic Ocean will almost certainly be the decider for third place and a podium position.
The battle at the front has closed significantly over the week as well, although Paprec-Virbac 2 still commands a 542 mile margin. But Hugo Boss has taken advantage of the fickle conditions off the coast of South America to close up to the race leader by more than 300 miles over the course of the week.
Day 71 - January 20, 14:00 GMT - Position report with distance to leader
1. Paprec-Virbac 2 - Jean Pierre Dick / Damian Foxall - 4373 To Finish
2. Hugo Boss - Alex Thomson / Andrew Cape - 542
3. Temenos 2 - Dominique Wavre / Michele Paret- 2069
4. Mutua Madrilena - Javier Sanso / Pachi Rivero - 2158
5. Educacion Sin Fronteras - Servane Escoffier / Albert Bargues - 3192
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