JAMAICA does not have a monopoly on spinnaker wraps!

As we head into day 3 of this 19 day race it has been confirmed that the disatrous spinnaker wraps which beset JAMAICA in previous races have also been experienced by other teams early on in this one.

The race from Santa Cruz to Panama will be a dash south with the wind behind the boats and some very fast racing - normally the perfect conditions for flying the spinnaker. However, downwind sailing also brings huge challenges for the helm and both Glasgow and Liverpool have had spinnakers wrapped around their forestays which have made them reduce speed for between 7 and 4 hours of sailing whilst they unwrap them.

And with more than 2,800 miles to go, the teams need to do everything in their power to preserve their sails. It may be the prudent approach will pay dividends later on this race.

JAMAICA is one of 2 teams to be assuming a more offshore approach, hoping to benefit from stronger winds. It means that, for the moment, they appear to have fallen down the rankings - Liverpool in 10th and JAMAICA in 9th as the finishing line is to the South East - but a similar tactic paid off for both Singapore and Nova Scotia who finished 1st and 2nd in the last race.

You need one large spoonfull of great tactics and several buckets full of luck if you are to move up the leader board. Well, of course, we know that our expert tacticians on board JAMAICA are amongst the best in the World so here's hoping Lady luck is Jamaican!