Iker Martínez and “Telefónica” have put the obligatory waypoint of Pulau We behind them. The boat is now navigating the difficult waters at the Strait of Malacca. “Telefónica” pushed past the coordinates 5º 53 N - 95º 19 in first place today, Friday 27^th January at 12:10 UTC. The Spanish team was therefore well into one of the most complicated stretches on the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 course, the Strait of Malacca.

Since taking the lead in yesterday's 19:00 position report, the Spanish team have been tied up in a battle of tacks with main rivals in pursuit, second and third placed entries: “Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand” and “Puma”. The three boats have stayed within close proximity of one another over the past hours and with this morning's 10:00 UTC position report just a mile and a half lay between them. Three hours later however, the official tracker data for the race put the bow to bow difference between the Spanish and New Zealand boats at three miles.

Seven intense hours

Iker Martínez and his guys were the first to tack away from the island of Sumatra (Indonesia). Later a shift in breeze to the right and the influence of currents meant getting closer to the coast, where they tend to be less potent. There was a tack to the bow of the kiwis and the crew remained focussed on following the correct heading to get past Pulau We without performing any ...

Hello everyone,

As I mentioned yesterday, we are the current leg leaders. Right now we are in a good position: we are further to the windward side and further forward ...