New Zealand

At the front of the fleet, MAPFRE are now just over 200 miles from Farewell Point and the entrance to Cook Strait, while Groupe Bel continue to edge ever closer to Estrella Damm in third, now just 32 miles in front of them. The pair have around 500 miles to go along the coast of New Zealand's South Island, and are separated by about 44 miles of ocean.

Message from onboard : "Good morning, Groupe Bel is approaching New Zealand. She’s heeling a little, but this is becoming standard in this round-the-world. For three days, we have really had the impression that we’ve changed oceans. The sea temperature is now 16.6 °. It was closer to 7° when we were by 52°S. As a result, the air has warmed and there’s no need for gloves to steer. It’s almost spring-like. We were slowed down a little by the anticyclone which moved East – South, but overall we came out of it well and Groupe Bel is making a straight line close-hauled and reaching to the entrance of the Cook Strait. We have taken advantage of the relatively clam sea to catch up on some sleep and be in Olympic shape for the next part of the race. Seb."

The video magazine is on line on www.sharingsmilestour.com. Relive 2 weeks of racing towards New Zealand, on board Groupe Bel!

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