France’s Groupama hit the lead in leg five of the Volvo Ocean Race yesterday, as the feared “Roaring Forties” produced little more than a feeble breeze.

Groupama was 1.1 nautical miles ahead of Telefonica – still the overall leader in the nine-leg race – with Puma, of the United States, just 1.5 nautical miles further back in a tightly-bunched leading pack.

Sanya and Camper were also within striking distance of Groupama as the first five vessels in the six-yacht fleet enjoyed a reprieve from the battering they have endured since departing Auckland on Sunday.

Abu Dhabi trails the rest of the fleet by more than 300 nautical miles, attempting to make up lost time after being forced to return to Auckland for repairs shortly after setting off when it smashed into a steep wave.

The break in the weather was an unexpected chance to recover for the crews, who were braced for more challenging conditions in the Roaring Forties, an area south of 40 degrees latitude long renowned by mariners for its high winds.

“I feel like I’ve gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson,” Puma skipper Ken Read said.

Read added one crew member suffered a dislocated shoulder and another a wrenched back as they hit heavy seas.

At one point, he considered diverting to the Chatham Islands, south of New Zealand, to drop off the injured men but they insisted the yacht should press on.