After a night of proper sailing the wind is about to veer from SSE to W, a shift of more than 90˚. On the tracker chart it is clearly visible. BLISS can still steer W (wind hasn’t veered there yet). The leaders though, already changed to a more northerly course. Also a tactical issue is noteworthy: the more southerly boats (GREYHOUND, JAGER) have the advantage now, for they will get a position at the luff side (nearer to the wind) of the fleet.
