By JULIE ASH
Five yachts are battling it out for first place as the round-the-world yachts close in on Rio de Janeiro to finish the fourth leg.
The five boats are spread over about 30 nautical miles and are expected to complete the 6700-mile journey from Auckland today.
Last night, illbruck
was 134 miles from Rio and had a 23-mile lead over Tyco, Assa Abloy and Amer Sport One. Djuice was seven miles further back.
A high-pressure system to the south of the fleet will give light southeasterly winds into Rio.
Not since the race started 29 years ago has there been such a close finish in the leg from Auckland to South America.
Grant Dalton, on Amer Sports One, said the closeness of the racing and the need to push hard through the ice made this Southern Ocean leg the toughest he had ever done.
About the round-the-world race
Competitor profiles
Current standings
Previous winners
Volvo Ocean Adventure
