Status: Day 2, Leg 9

Standings:

Boat .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Nautical miles to finish

1. BrunelSunergy .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ...102.4

2. Merit Cup .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .103.6

3. EF Language .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .103.8

4. Silk Cut .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..104.1

5. Toshiba .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 104.3

6. Swedish Match .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ...104.7

7. Innovation Kvaerner .. .. .. .. .. .. ...104.7

8. Chessie Racing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..107.2

9. EF Education .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .109.6

(as of 21: 06: 39 GMT)

Boat beat: After a dramatic start which featured no less than four protests, the racing has not slowed. BrunelSunergy hit the lead and has held it, although they are the closest to inshore -- that means more miles to be traveled to the finish. Only 7.2 nm separate the entire fleet. The fleet is averaging roughly eight knots. EF Language clinched the overall title on the previous leg.

RTC Weather: High pressure will move further to the southwest with northeasterly breezes at 8-15kts.

Note: Information compiled from the Whitbread Round the World Race Web site at www.whitbread.org

Pub Date: 5/24/98