After 36 hours at sea, Hallin Marine II, skippered by David Hosking were closing in on leaders, The Islanders, but in the last hour the gap between first and second has opened up again to eight miles.
Third-placed Oarsome Adventures’ crew of six were hit by mechanical problems this evening.
The electric-powered water maker onboard their boat Boudica – which converts seawater into fresh drinking water – is not working properly. The team are pumping water by hand.
Also their auto helm, which helps with steering, has developed problems. But Heather Rees-Gaunt on board remained cheerful and said: “We’re not giving up yet!”
The Islanders, led by Josh Taylor, took the lead from the start of GBRow 2013 at Tower Bridge in London and for the last 12 hours, Team Hallin have been fighting to take the lead.
Tonight the Islanders are approaching Beachy Head near Eastbourne, while Hallin Marine II headed further out into the English Channel. But in the last hour, they changed course heading back towards land and are nearly eight miles behind.
Pure Gym, skippered by Claire Shouksmith, is in fourth place off Camber Sands. Fifth placed Savoir Faire’s team of Jason McKinlay and Josh Tarr are near Folkstone.
The Coast Girls, Sally Kettle and Charlene Ayres, had a near-miss when a strong easterly wind blew their boat Pendovey Swift perilously close to the shore, between Whitstable and Herne Bay.
Charlene has been suffering from sea sickness but they managed to deploy their sea anchor to keep the boat away from danger. They are now at anchor, while Charlene recovers.