Ericsson wins the start and with all the boats apart from Pirates, heads off to the right. Paul Cayard and his team go hard left and meet a large cloud which gives them a massive, favourable shift. They round the first mark with a one minute lead from ABN AMRO ONE and Brasil 1.

Pirates hold their lead until the second downwind leg when a big squall first rips Ericsson’s spinnaker then, further down the course, Pirates lose control, round up and trash their kite. ABN AMRO says thank you and takes a lead of over one minute. Brunel are struggling after dropping a daggerboard through the slot.

One more windward and one more downwind leg. The boats head upwind towards huge black clouds while they are in bright sun.

Part way op the leg a 28 knot squall hits ABN AMRO ONE who retains control, just, thanks to her twin rudders and, taking the shift, reaches to the mark. The squall doesn’t seem to benefit anyone else. ABN AMRO ONE wins by four minutes from Pirates and Brasil 1.