Graham Dalton in his yacht Hexagon is battling to retain third place from Garnier (Patrick de Radigues) and Tiscali (Simone Bianchetti) on the first leg of the Around Alone race across the Atlantic.
By early today, only 17 nautical miles separated Dalton from the two chasing yachts as they ploughed towardsTorbay in England.
Bobst Group Armor Lux, skippered by Bernard Stamm is the clear race leader, more than 200 miles in front of Hexagon, with Solidaires (Thierry Dubois) second nearly 60 miles back.
Stamm is continuing to extend his lead and if the favourable sailing conditions continue, should reach Torbay on Thursday.
Dalton reported yesterday that the previous 24 hours had been the toughest so far in the race as he pumped out 1000 litres of water taken on board over the weekend when high winds whipped up six metre waves which crashed over the deck.
