BT Global Challenge Leg 6 continues

by Event Media on 28 May 2001 Logica's continued track on a more northerly bearing has seen them extend their lead over Norwich Union by 24 miles, however, this is a position likely to change over the next 24 hours as crews approach the Equator. With the south-east trades bringing 15-20 knots of wind every yacht in the fleet is achieving in excess of 200 mile 24-hour
runs. Competition throughout remains as fierce as ever, just 4 miles separates 5th and 7th positions and just 6 miles
separates 9th through to 12th positions. The first yachts are expected to re-cross the Equator on Monday.

Weather Update

Wind: Southeast force 4.
Waves: Moderate
Barometric Pressure: 1011mb.
Air Temperature: 25C - 77F
Sea Temperature: 26C - 79F

Today: Southeast wind force 4 or 5 easing for the northerly yachts
Tomorrow: Southeast wind force 4 or 5 in the south, 3 or 4 in the north.

Weather forecast:

With the fleet spread out over nearly 250 miles, in a north to south direction, the winds are expected to be different
for the more northerly yachts than the southerly.

The more southerly yachts will stay in the band of stronger trade winds longer as the wind eases on the approach to
the equator. The wind should start at a force 4 or 5 dropping to a force 3 to 4 north of about 5 degrees and to even
less close too and after crossing the equator. As a general rule the wind should be a little stronger to the west and it
should veer more to the south the closer to the equator the fleet gets.

Where to cross the equator and approach the doldrums is a difficult decision for the
crews. Although they are all heading in the same general direction there is a 160-mile spread from east to west and
it would be increasingly expensive in lost miles for any significant changes in relative positions.

At the moment satellite pictures show a lot of convective activity starting just north of the equator. These clouds
reach great heights and the cold temperatures of their tops show up well on infra red pictures. These towering
cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds may well develop into thunderstorms and squalls, but they should not affect the
fleet until late tomorrow or Monday when the first yachts are expected to cross into the Northern Hemisphere.

Although the convective clouds show the start of the more variable conditions the Doldrums themselves currently
start at about 4 degrees north and appear to extend for 300 miles; wider to the east and narrower to the west. This
band can, and will, move sometimes coming as far south as the equator and as far north as 10 degrees north,
changing in width from almost nothing to 500 miles.

Latest Race Update

Logica increased their lead and managed to gain some westing yesterday although they are still looking a little too
far east for an optimum crossing of the doldrums. They gained miles on all of the fleet with the exception of Compaq
who remains the same distance behind.

Olympic Group lost the most miles (19) but gained some ground to the west and they appear to be aiming at
becoming the most westerly yacht. This has cost them 2 places on the leader board as they dropped to 11th place.
As only 6 miles divides the bottom 4 there is likely to be a continuing swapping of places over the next few days.

There were a number of changes higher up the rankings as BP reversed their fortunes a little and climbed back up to
5th. After a number of very good days Isle of Man was replaced in 3rd by Compaq as they sail parallel to each other
8 miles apart; this is just out of the range of visibility. These two are looking increasingly trapped to the east and they
will either have to risk taking a flyer and pass through the doldrums considerably further east than is usually though
to be advisable. Or they could gain some westing when/if the wind swings more to the south close to the equator.
The problem then is that the wind will probably go lighter as well so a more westerly course would keep them in the
lighter band of wind for longer.

Second placed Norwich Union is still looking good following the less risky strategy of staying west. Although this has
cost them the lead their longer term position looks sound for the approach to the doldrums.

One of the problems on this leg is that the wind makes the more northerly gybe more favourable in terms of
shortening the distance to the finish, which is rewarded by good position reports, whilst statistics show that a longer
route should be quicker.

Race Positions
As at 0800 GMT (distance to leader in brackets)

1. Logica
2. Norwich Union (24)
3. Compaq (57)
4. Isle of Man (59)
5. BP (112)
6. Quadstone (114)
7. LG FLATRON (116)
8. TeamSpirIT (141)
9. Save the Children (203)
10. Spirit of Hong Kong (204)
11. Olympic Group (204)
12. VERITAS (209)