#VOR - With fewer than 1,000 miles and some three days of sailing to the Leg 6 finish line in Newport, the Volvo Ocean Race is truly on.
Current leaders Dongfeng Race Team face a strong challenge from Abu Dahbi Ocean Racing and third place Team Brunel as they put their chips down on the winning route through the Bermuda Triangle.
Not far behind are MAPFRE and Team Alvimedica, separated by fewer than two nautical miles and picking up a knot of speed over the podium placers – which could accumulate into a threat for the leaders.
Trailing at the back in sixth place are Team SCA, who were the last to gybe northwest on Saturday afternoon (2 May) and haven't been able to make up their lost ground in wind speeds three to four knots off those available to the frontrunners.
Nevertheless, the SCA women will be pushing as hard if not harder than the rest of the fleet as they bear down on Rhode Island – and with little time for the myths that surround the mysterious Bermuda Triangle.
The VOR website debunks the region's Fortean reputation that's long been the stuff of science fiction, boiling it down to the simple fact that as one of the most highly trafficked areas for amateur sailors and pilots, not to mention commercial shipping, it's bound to have more accidents.
Indeed, the bigger risk for the VOR fleet – aside from tiredness and jadedness as the months of offshore racing take their toll – is whether some hapless amateur skipper or pilot might cross their path and scupper their chances in the race standings!
