Ericsson 4 was the first boat to the scoring gate at longitudinal 58 degrees east on the 2nd leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Skipper Torben Grael and his men crossed the line at 03:45 GMT to collect their points. Once across Grael pointed the bow north for the 3,000-mile home stretch to Cochin.

Among the pursuing pack, Ericsson 3 is leading the chase for remaining podium positions at the gate some 30 miles further back.

Bouwe Bekking on Telefonica Blue, also likes his chances of decent points, noting as he did that the ailing PUMA has slowed over the past 12 hours due to structural damage.

"Looks like PUMA is having some issues, sailing very slow," he observed in an email earlier this morning. "Hopefully their issue are not too big and that they are not forced to stop on their way.

"But it might mean that we can catch them and gain a valuable half point. The same said for our mates on the (Telefonica) black boat. They got the better of us some days back, but now we are catching them again, also that will be a close call for the points."

According to Race Meteorologist, Jennifer Lilly, as the fleet heads north-east ovet the 24-48 hours "they will be looking forward to a few days of trade wind sailing".

A blessed relief from the mauling they have taken in the Roaring Forties.