Yachting: Camper on the home stretch

After eighteen days' sailing Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand is on the home stretch to Cape Town after a fast and furious few days in the South Atlantic.

With fewer than 700 miles to go to Cape Town, Camper is expected to cross the finish line of leg one sometime Sunday evening (NZT). Camper remains in second place, 146 miles behind race leader Telefonica.

Both boats have now exited the strong frontal system that had delivered boat speeds of more than 30 knots and are now in a lighter south westerly breeze.

With the moderate conditions set to stay for the rest of the leg, Camper's 552 mile effort yesterday should claim the greatest distance sailed in a 24 hour period.

Skipper Chris Nicholson said, with only a few hundred miles left, Telefonica's lead look unassailable barring a breakage or something similar aboard.

"They're in a slightly stronger position than us with a little more breeze and a better angle. With these boats seemingly so similar performance wise it's going to be hard for us to make up that advantage, but we're going to be throwing absolutely everything we can at them between now and the finish in an effort to do so.

"I'm really pleased with the way the boat has performed in the conditions of the last few days. We've seen some great performance speed wise and the boat has so far held up really well.

"We just can't wait to get into Cape Town now and catch up with family and loved ones, have a decent meal, a hot shower, a cold beer, and a good night's sleep."