Gunnar Krantz's Swedish Match is 313 miles clear of second-placed Innovation Kvaerner halfway through the 4,600-mile second stage of the Whitbread Round the World race to Fremantle. "Halfway is an important milestone," said Krantz. "It is pretty cold here and the crew are pretty tired."
Innovation Kvaerner, skippered by Knut Frostad, is back on course after suffering structural damage inside the bow on Saturday night. "A massive wave broke over the boat from behind, ripping off the starboard steering wheel and all stanchions on the starboard side," said Frostad. "No-one was injured, the steering wheel is back on again and we are sailing again at full speed."
Toshiba is 150 miles behind Innovation Kvaerner in third place, but almost 400 miles ahead of EF Language with only 72 miles separating the fourth and ninthplaced boats.
British entry Silk Cut made up 16 miles on the leaders yesterday to move up one place into sixth after day nine of stage two. Lawrie Smith's boat overtook Chessie Racing, but is still nearly 885 miles behind Swedish Match.
Latest positions (on stage two) - 1, Swedish Match (Swe) 2291.2 miles to finish; 2, Innovation Kvaerner (Nor) 313.2 behind leader; 3, Toshiba (USA) 467; 4, EF Language (Swe) 846.4; 5, Chessie Racing (USA) 866.7; 6, Silk Cut (Brit) 884.7, 7, Merit Cup (Mon) 893.2; 8, EF Education (Swe) 895.8; 9, Brunel Sunergy (Ned) 918.3.
