Race report 2: Tight racing in The Tasman
Tecla (Netherlands) remains the leading vessel on both corrected time and on the water, with 837 miles to go to the finish line – but the rest of the fleet are closing in as the wind increases from the north.
Spirit of New Zealand (New Zealand) is just seven miles behind her and has recently been travelling at a knot faster (one nautical mile per hour) so she could take the lead on the water later today.
Europa (Netherlands) and Oosterschelde (Netherlands) have been battling it out in sight of each other all day and Oosterschelde has recently overhauled Europa and now lies just a couple of hundred metres closer to the finish line than her Dutch rival.
This could prove to be an epic race between the two of them, reminiscent of some of the legendary races in the nineteenth century. Lord Nelson (UK) is close behind them and Young Endeavour (Australia) is keeping to a more southerly tactic.
The Dutch now dominate the top three placings on Corrected Times (handicap):
1st Tecla
2nd Europa
3rd Oosterschelde
