With just under 600 miles to go to Lorient, four boats are still in contention for the overall victory. DMG MORI Global One (1st), 11th Hour Racing (2nd), United by the Ocean (3rd) and Team Malizia (4th) are separated by just 25 miles on the leaderboard and 50 miles laterally. All four are expected to reach the finish line on Thursday. But who will come out on top? The suspense is still very much alive.

At some point on Thursday, if the forecast holds, we will find out the winner of the very first edition of The Ocean Race Atlantic. But for now, it is impossible to make any meaningful prediction. The battle for position that began at the start of the week, triggered by a high-pressure system blocking the leaders’ route, is more intense than ever.

Team Malizia is the furthest north, although Boris Herrmann and his crew have reduced the lateral gap. 11th Hour Racing and United by the Ocean are positioned more centrally, with 11th Hour Racing gaining a slight advantage over Francesca Clapcich’s boat in recent hours. DMG MORI Global One, meanwhile, is the furthest south.

It is also fascinating to follow the progress of the two boats at the back of the fleet, Embrace The Challenge (5th) and MSIG Europe (6th). While they are currently 266 and 350 miles respectively behind the race leader, neither crew has been held up by the high-pressure system, meaning they can continue sailing at a strong pace.

“Even though we’re a long way behind, paradoxically it gives us a much more direct route to Lorient,” Swiss sailor Oliver Heer explained. The boats’ performance reflects that advantage: Embrace The Challenge recorded its second win in the Super Sprint on Tuesday, while MSIG Europe moved into second place.

Whatever happens, all eyes are now on the front of the fleet as the race enters its final sprint. On board the four leading boats, the excitement is understandably palpable, with the outcome more uncertain than ever.

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