DEMOCRACY 250 RACE

With all the boats in close proximity to each other, all the teams were in sight of each other during the night. Qingdao Skipper Marcus Cholerton-Brown
said: "If we want to know where everyone is all we have to do is stick our heads out of the companionway."

Race Director Joff Bailey said: "The fleet has made brisk progress overnight along the Nova Scotia coastline towards Cape Breton Island during the Democracy 250 Race with some of the teams clocking up over 100 nautical miles. The finish line is towards the north east corner of the island and most of the fleet had approx 60nm to go at the 0600 schedule."

westernaustralia2011.com continued to lead the fleet overnight but only eight miles separate the top eight teams, so the race is still on for the D250 Trophy on Saturday in Sydney. One boat that will not be lifting the trophy is Uniquely Singapore, after retiring due to a rule infringement near the start of the race when they failed to round one of the marks of the course the correct side.

Nova Scotia has made a great recovery from their tussle with the container ship departing Halifax which caused them to loose a healthy lead and drop back down the leader board and now lie in fourth place and well positioned to make a push for the finish line.

Nova Scotia Round the World Crew Member Chris Wicks said: "We're currently lying in joint fourth with Jamaica, steaming up the Nova Scotia coast under full main, stay and number one. Crew member Catherine is heading up by scenic coast road with her young man, so for one night only we have a guest crew member, the Nova Scotia Minister for Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Bill Dooks. We've been throwing him in at the deep end with night watches, trimming and sail changes and he's risen superbly to the challenge. Next up:
close-hauled dawn helming!"

As the teams settle back into the routines onboard, many are reflecting on the few days they have spent enjoying Halifax. westernaustralia2011.com Skipper Martin Silk said: "Slipping from Halifax waterfront yesterday morning was moving; new friends, fantastic harbour and great hospitality; but there was more of Nova Scotia to be experienced."

Race Director Joff Bailey said: "Once finished the fleet will make their way into Sydney which has a fantastic natural harbour which provides great shelter from the sea and weather conditions. The local organising committee have been working very hard to ensure that the crews and skippers will be looked after well once they arrive and there is a fun filled programme planned over this weekend."

At 0600 GMT, each boat's Distance to Finish (nautical miles) was as follows:
westernaustralia2011.com 58
Liverpool 08 59
Hull & Humber 59
Uniquely Singapore 60 (retired due to rule infringement) Nova Scotia 64 Jamaica 64 Qingdao 66
Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper 66 Durbban 2010 and Beyond 72 New York 79

The fleet will depart from Sydney for the final transatlantic race to Cork on Monday 16 June.