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With a Southern course in their sights, “Telefónica” maintains the lead in the fleet with 56 linear miles on “Puma”

Sometimes the shortest route is not necessarily the fastest and that is definitely showing on this first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race. On the 17^th day of competition “Telefónica” continues to lead , with one clear aim: to reach the southern squalls with the biggest possible lead and once there to set course East towards Cape Town (South Africa), the finishing line for the first leg.

As if in single file, “Telefónica” and “Puma” continue with their bows pointed South, and although in the most recent position reports the Americans have been moving closer to the Spaniards, “Telefónica” is also moving ever-closer to it's main objective: to reaching the area with chains of squalls coming in from the West that will let the Spanish entry, skippered by Iker Martínez really step on the gas.

The Americans, who've chosen the very same course and option are 56 miles behind the Spanish boat, whilst following the official referencing for the competition rankings, the great circle line (the shortest route to Cape Town) they are 20 miles away. With every minute South the boat moves away from the 'great circle' or orthodromic line (an Easterly course).

“These are tricky days until we catch the breeze that will take us to Cape Town. I don't think we'll be able to relax until we get to the finishing line!” said Diego Fructuoso in his daily report.

With average speeds of over 23 knots, “Telefónica” is 48 hours away from the “squall train”. On board the situation is beginning to take a dramatic turn from extreme heat to cold, as Diego Fructuoso explained: “It's started to get colder and there's more breeze, although temperatures are still pleasant. Ñeti [Antonio Cuervas- Mons] was the first to put his waterproof boots back on and many of us (including myself) have followed. The light shoes were starting to rub, so I decided to take those off and probably won't be using them until after the leg finish”.

PROVISIONAL RANKINGS LEG 1

ALICANTE (SPAIN) – CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA): 6,500 miles

Day 17 – 13:00 GMT – 21^st November 2011

1^st Team Telefónica (Iker Martínez), a 2,142.1 miles from Leg finish

2^nd Puma Ocean Racing (Ken Read), + 20.4 miles

3^rd Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand (Chris Nicholson), + 108.9 miles

4^th Groupama Sailing Team (Franck Cammas), + 333.9 miles

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ian Walker), Retired from Leg 1

Team Sanya (Mike Sanderson), Retired from Leg 1