They effectively satisfied the rule - that one part of their boat must pass with the gate to their south – during the afternoon as they passed heading SE across the N-S transit of the west end of the gate. But BT then crossed through the line at 1745hrs, already taking a slightly more southerly angle than Generali.

Generali is measured at just 5.6 miles behind BT, the former crew-mates who cut their teeth in the Southern Ocean as crew on the maxi cat Orange, now enjoying a close tussle. Eliès, who lead the race briefly last weekend, has cut Josse’s lead from nearly 40 miles and has appeared consistently quicker, but much of the mileage changes are masked by the angles sailed to pass the ice gate, rather than the optimum route.

The only notable change in places on the evening poll, albeit small in mileage terms is Jean Le Cam swapping seventh for fifth with his old rival Bilou who drops to seventh, with Vincent Riou holding on to sixth.

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) continues to burn up the ocean and has made nearly 25 miles on the leaders since early this morning, now chasing down Mike Golding, GBR (Ecover 3) who is 67.3 miles ahead.

Speeds among the chasing pack have risen sharply as the stronger winds kick in from astern, heralding the arrival of the expected low pressure system, Arnaud Boissieres making over 17 knots in Akenas Verandas.