The Wally 100 Dark Shadow is the largest yacht on the entry list and although the 100ft Frers-designed carbon-fibre Maxi has close to 5,000 sq. ft. of sail area, she faces fierce competition for line honours.

Between now and the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre, the IMOCA class has decided to share some portraits of the unusual, unlikely and surprising pairs that have come together for the double-handed transatlantic race.

Matthieu Vincent tells of an incident when he was somersaulted overboard after the bow bug into a wave.

In very light airs, the three main movers and shakers of this 1,350-mile course setting sail from La Rochelle fought for victory right to the wire and ultimately it was Axel Tréhin who was first across the finish line.

François Jambou is expected on the finish line from 19:00 UTC. This estimate is subject to change given the very light wind conditions reigning over the Canaries.

The end is near, and it is a real nail-biter, with at least three boats in both classes in contention - and nobody is sure where their rivals are positioned.

Chinese Whisper is in the driver’s seat for line honours while St Jude is leading the overall contenders.

François Jambou (prototype) and Ambrogio Beccaria (production boat) are leading while others have suffered problems resulting in one retirement.

Following the retirement of Pavel Roubal, who was airlifted to safety last night offshore of Portugal, 86 sailors in the Mini-Transat La Boulangère are still at sea.

South-easterly winds are predicted for the 215-nautical-mile race, the third of the CYCA's Blue Water Pointscore Series, commencing this Friday evening on Sydney Harbour.

It’s been a very fast and exhilarating day, especially for the sailors further South. The leaders are setting a hellish pace led by François Jambou (prototype) and Félix De Navacelle (production boat).

Virtually all the competitors are opting to pass inside the Cape Finisterre TSS, aside from four sailors who are going for broke to the Far West, a move they hope will pay off.

Expect to see the usual suspects and a few new players as owners and crew ramp up for the summer offshore season ahead.

Having negotiated a zone of high pressure last night, the Mini sailors have been on a beat in a manageable S/SW’ly wind (10 to 15 knots).

Multihulls have competed in every edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 and for the first time in the history of the race, the 2020 edition is set to feature three equally matched 70ft carbon flyers.