A sluggish header is slowing the leaders as they wait for the new breeze to fill in.

The 42 nm around the island race will be a short sprint, before Joyon and his crew attempt a series of records in Asia, followed by an attempt on the Clipper route record between Hong Kong and London.

The 100ft trimarans would 'only' have to average 25.3+ knots to complete the Rolex Fastnet Race in under a day. MACIF's target speed is 40 knots, which would see her finish the race in 15 hours.

The first boats are still being shown the way by Sébastien Simon (Arkéa – Paprec), who is creaming along at an average speed of over 15 knots, propelled by a NW’ly wind of 12 to 14 knots.

On Tuesday 14 May, with most of the international fleet safely moored at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Goslings Rum provided a rum tasting in the Trophy Room of the famous club in Hamilton, Bermuda.

A skilled observer of this first event in the IMOCA Globe Series in which he was unable to take part due to the timing, Romain Attanasio gives us his analysis of the first five days of racing.

Current leader Sébastien Simon has seen his lead halved in the last 24 hours. Right now, the skipper of ARKEA PAPREC is ‘only’ 18 miles ahead of his closest pursuer, compared with yesterday’s lead of up to 50 miles.

The record 100-boat fleet is now split into 12 divisions for this year's 50th edition of the biennial ocean race from Los Angeles to Honolulu.

Pata Negra (GBR) skippered by Andy Liss, Peter Grueterich's Xpatriate (USA) and Kevin McLaughlin's Rye (USA) are all in contention with 114 miles or less to go.

In addition to the usual spectacular midnight start from off Naples’ magnificent Castel dell’Ovo, the 65th Regata dei Tre Golfi will be remembered for being an especially light wind affair favouring the smaller boats.

Skipper David Witt said the 935nm race was a good length for the 100 footer.

At 9am Sydney time Sunday, Scallywag had 12 miles to sail to the finish, while behind her, competitors are experiencing fantastic reaching conditions.

It has been a testing first two days of the race, verified by some significant gaps between the 17 boats.

Super maxi Scallywag continues to leads, following ups and downs as crew try to make educated decisions in confusing conditions.

Ahead of them, 2000 miles of sailing to Brest after rounding the Fastnet Rock to the south of Ireland and a waypoint off the Azores.