HAMPSHIRE ocean racing guru Mike Golding yesterday took the lead in the Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic race for the first time since it started 11 days ago.
By midday Golding and co-skipper Bruno Dubois had secured their Open 60 yacht Ecover 3 a 25 mile lead on the nearest competitors, French yachtsmen Marc Guillemot and Charles Caudrelier sailing Safran.
"It is good to be out in front," Golding said.
"Its another hot day with cloudless blue skies and 12-15kts of wind from the North/North East.
"Bruno and I are only called upon to manoeuvre the boat every few hours, which involves gybing and moving the stack - that means moving everything up to the high side of the boat.
"This is very steamy work in these conditions but for as long as it is paying off as it is, we plan to continue.
"All in all and as you might expect, we are very happy with where we are now both tactically and in terms of the weather ahead of us."
Golding was yesterday increasing Ecover 3's lead over the 16-boat fleet as they made their way south towards the Cape Verde Islands.
Southampton's Sam Davies was currently lying in tenth position, with fellow Hampshire sailors Dee Caffari and Nigel King trailing in 13th.
Ocean Village-based Artemis Ocean Racing, sailed by Jonny malbon and Gringo Tourell, was forced to retire from the race last week after suffering a broken mast.
