Team New Zealand's round the world entry Camper is banking on the fast approaching doldrums to help them overall race leader Groupama.
The French team's risky decision to go south in search of a better breeze and sailing angle has paid off with Groupama now enjoying a clear advantage over the rest of fleet.
Groupama has a 53 mile lead over second placed Telefonica, with Camper 20 miles further back in fourth place.
However, within the next 48 hours Groupama's advantage will be challenged as the boats close in on the doldrums in the Indian Ocean and encounter the unpredictable weather conditions common with the area.
Camper skipper Chris Nicholson says that's where they hope to make up some distance with the yachts expected to bunch up.
Meanwhile Team Sanya arrived in southeast Madagascar, where the team will meet with their shore crew and mast experts to establish a schedule to repair rigging damaged early yesterday when the Chinese team were leading the fleet.
