Volvo Ocean Race

What's the latest in the Volvo Ocean Race? Find out right here.

What’s the story?

Groupama and Telefónica have been trading first place overnight after the overall race leaders finally reduced the French team’s lead to zero late yesterday evening.

Yesterday PUMA and Telefónica had closed to within 10 nm of the lead as leaders Groupama continued to be slowed by moderating winds.

Some normality returned to the fleet yesterday morning when, after dealing with a fierce tropical storm called Alberto overnight, lighter winds ahead are beginning to compress the fleet.

What a night. That's how Abu Dhabi's Ian Walker described the 12 hours of chaos that ensued as the fleet were caught in the eye of Tropical Storm Alberto.

Only leg leaders Groupama escaped unscathed, benefitting from an early gybe to extend their lead to around 30 miles.

Quote of the day:

"Will Oxley is going bald, and I am going grey- that’s the Volvo Ocean Race for you.” Chris Nicholson - skipper, CAMPER

Raw feed:

Everything that comes off the boats from the dedicated Media Crew Members is made available to view at Livestream. Check out the main page here and don’t miss the dedicated team channels. For other ways to follow the race, click here.

The big picture:

It couldn't be tighter at the top of the overall leaderboard as the six-strong fleet headed into Leg 7. Just 14 points split the top four boats of Telefónica, Groupama, CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand and PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG with just three legs and four in-port races left.

PUMA declared themselves well and truly back in the race with their second consectuive leg win in the 6,800-mile Leg 6 from Brazil to Miami, and followed it up with a third place finish in the PORTMIAMI In-Port Race.

CAMPER took second in Leg 6 to score them some vital points, while Groupama pulled off a terrific comeback to snatch the final podium spot. A second-placed finish in the latest in-port race saw them pile the pressure onto overall leaders Telefónica.

Iker Martinez's men could only watch as their stonghold on the top spot eroded, having to settle for fourth in Leg 6 and finishing last in the Miami in-port.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing proved they are a force to be reckoned with around an inshore course picking up their third in-port win, while Mike Sanderson's Team Sanya were relishing being back in the fight after being forced out of Leg 5 and 6.

Check out the overall standings HERE.