Middle Sea Race makes slow progress

The 77 boats taking part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race have been making painfully slow progress along the Northern coast of Sicily, with a lack a wind grouping the boats together.

By 6 p.m. leaders Alegre (GBR), Moneypenny (USA) and Rosebud (USA) were moving at 7-knots, approaching Capo Gallo after a long, slow, tiring day.

Last night and early this morning were good for the smaller, slower boats. As they left the Strait they encountered a solid southeasterly breeze that carried them northwards to Stromboli. This gave them an advantage over the bigger, faster boats which promptly sailed into a windless hole shortly after rounding the northern most island of the course.

However, this evening the leaders were back into a breeze and stretching away again.