There are eight boats squeezed within 50 and 60NM of the finish in the middle of the fleet, with three of the Benetau First 40s – Mike Welsh on Wicked, Chris Tucker and the crew of Halcyon, and ORCV Commodore Simon Dryden on Dry White – packed together within 5NM of each other, sticking very close to the rhumbline.

Dry White during the Melbourne to Port Fairy race earlier this year

The last First 40, Bandit, is just behind, battling to stay ahead of Turbulence and Trybooking. Grant Dunoon from Trybooking will be pleased the Bass Strait weather hasn’t thrown up any weather curve balls, and there’s no need for his crew to take on any rescues as they did so commendably during the Port Fairy race.

Trybooking heading into the storm during the Port Fairy race

Heading into Stanley the winds are expected to pick up a bit of speed in comparison to earlier today, tending east to northeasterly between 10 and 15 knots, reaching 20 knots later this evening. This will be good news for the back of the fleet as dark starts to set in and they are keen to get on shore and get well-deserved refreshments.

Calm waters in Bass Strait

Halcyon arriving at Stanley in the 2011 race

With any chance of grabbing the record of 14:35:15 from Peter Blake’s Kontrol in 2002 dashed by slow conditions, everyone can now aim for Smithton Lions Club with Sheryl Robson and the team with provisions waiting to be devoured.