Hampshire sailor Dee Caffari confessed that Team SCA is “hanging in there” on the latest stage of the Volvo Ocean Race.

The all-female boat, which is skippered by Hamble’s Sam Davies, were little more than five nautical-miles off leaders Dongfeng, according to last night’s location reports, as leg seven from Newport in the USA to Lisbon in Portugal entered its third day.

The six-strong fleet on the round-the-world epic, which is due to reach its climax next month, are tightly knitted together as they head across the Atlantic.

SCA, which is navigated by Hamble’s Libby Greenhalgh are currently fifth, just ahead of Team Alvimedica.

“We lost out to the guys in front of us (Dongfeng and Abu Dhabi) during the day and our closest competitor Brunel closed the gap on us,” said Gosport’s sailor Caffari, as the racing intensified.

“At one point we played a little game, trying to find the fastest mode.

“The Dutch boat sailed low at one point, and high at another and we covered them. It was of course a bit frustrating to see the grey silhouette growing and becoming sharper (and more yellow) with time.

“Alvimedica was still behind and we could clearly see Mapfre in front of us. We are hanging in there.”

Meanwhile on the Abu Dhabi boat, which is skippered by Warash sailor Ian Walker and navigated by Southampton’s Simon Fisher, the crew had been weakened by illness to two members.

Nonetheless Walker’s team were able to maintain second place, under three nautical-miles off leaders Dongfeng, according to the last GPS reports.

Libby’s brother, Rob – the watch captain on the MAPFRE boat – is currently in third.