Ecover closing on leaders

MacArthur was involved in controversy

Ecover is making great progress in the Transat Jacques Vabre race from Le Havre to Bahia in Brazil.

Mike Golding reported that he and his co-skipper, Marcus Hutchinson, are very tired, having hand steered continuously since the start of the race on Saturday.

Golding estimated that at 1300 GMT on Monday, Ecover was approximately 25 miles behind the leading Sill Plein Fruit and in fourth position.

Voila Fr was second at that stage with Casto Darty But five miles ahead of Ecover.

Golding said he was delighted with the progress and that both he and Hutchinson were in good spirits.

"We think there will be a big right hand shift and we want to be best placed for it".

On Sunday, Sergio Tacchini has launched a protest against Kingfisher-Foncia, claiming Ellen MacArthur's boat performed an illegal manoeuvre at the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre race.

Skipper Karine Fauconnier took the decision when Kingfisher-Foncia's starboard float moved between the port and central hulls of Sergio Tacchini at the first mark rounding, the Paul Vatine buoy.

Fauconnier and her co-skipper Frabck Proffit attempted to move around MacArthur's boat, but they were heading towards the beach at St Adresse in Le Harve.

Their rearguard action cost them valuable time as nine other boats sailed past.

---

BBC Sport Online will be following Ellen MacArthur's progress during the Transat Jacques Vabre.

Click here to speak to Ellen.