A nerve wracking night faces the leading skippers in the Fastnet Race as they pick their way through the fleet crossing the Irish sea.

Tauranga built Liara has rounded the Fastnet Rock off the southern tip of Ireland, and is chasing the leaders towards Bishop Rock off Land's End. In the way is the main fleet of more than 200 yachts, most of which rounded Land's End early last night.
The leading boat, Supermaxi ICAP Leopard is heading up the English Channel towards the finish line at Plymouth at 15.6 knots, chased by America's Cup boat Luna Rosa, Beau Geste and Ran. At 8.30 today Liara with Southern Ocean Marine director Greg Prescott on board was at 50:45.42N, 08:23.88W heading 128 degrees at 11.4 knots.