Malcolm Mohr’s crew on Independent Endeavour is bringing up the rear of the fleet, the big Nautor Swan finding it difficult to pick up speed with the light winds, a few nautical miles behind Steven Carey’s Dejavu, which is neck and neck with Escapade on its port side. From the look of it captains Steven Carey and Robert Bradley should be able to wave at each other from the deck.

Almost level with those two, a few nautical miles to the west, is the Irving-led Cavarlo and Patrick Clark on Morning Star, with Reg Walsh chasing just behind in Magic.

Little chance of rain this afternoon

Winds tending southeasterly as the fleet reaches the halfway point

Moving towards Tasmania the fleet can expect winds to strengthen slightly, tending southeast the southwesterly and increasing to between 10 and 20 knots this afternoon.

Stanley is currently cloudy, looking towards a maximum temperature of 15 today with the chance of a few showers. So the weather shouldn't be too cold as boats come in tonight. A good finish to look forward to, and a scrumptious crayfish waiting to find an owner too.

Take a look at race progress here.