Team New Zealand boat Camper has had a tough first 24 hours in the Volvo Ocean Race but has managed to hold on to first place in the testing conditions through the Strait of Gibraltar near Spain.
With winds averaging 30 knots and at times gusting over 40 accompanied by 4-5m seas, Camper leads the fleet by just over four nautical miles by this morning.
Telefonica is in second followed by Puma and Groupama. The rough conditions have resulted in two boats pulling out of the leg already with Abu Dhabi breaking its mast and Sanya suffering hull damage.
After a strong start Camper slipped to fourth before fighting her way back up the leader board overnight.
Despite the conditions spirits are high aboard Camper and both crew and boat are in good shape, skipper Chris Nicholson said.
"We've done thousands of miles in conditions similar to this so it is not a major for us. We are focused on protecting our lead and getting out of the Med in one piece.''
