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The tradition for chaos, that has characterised almost every South American restart since the beginning of the race, prevailed and close calls were many and varied, but finally the fleet extricated itself from the maelstrom and headed north, leaving behind the southern hemisphere which had been home for five months.

Sailing up the east coast of South America to Florida is a bigger nightmare for many professional racers than rounding Cape Horn, not because the waves are big and the weather horrendous, but because there are no waves and not a lot in the way of weather. The frustration has crews going crazy and this fifth leg, after an initial blast, proved no exception as temperatures soared, the seas grew still and the sails flapped indeterminately.

Down below, reported Knut Frostad, it was a stifling 50 degrees and bunks were soaked. "How nice it is to jump into a bunk that is already soaking wet from the sweat of the guy who slept there before you!"

Gunwale bum made its debut on some boats, raging spotty botty on others, but throughout the fleet, everyone was suffering from the intolerable heat made worse by the lack of speed.

Silk Cut’s Vincent Geake opted to stay near the shore – two nm from the beach at one point – to make the most of the breezes and for a while, they were in front but soon after crossing the equator, the spectre of EF Language loomed over the horizon behind them with Innovation Kvaerner on cloud watch in third.

"Every hour is spent watching the clouds," wrote Frostad, who’s preoccupation with them was starting to sound a bit spooky. "Will it rain? Where is it moving? How fast? Can we pass ahead or do we have to hike up behind? You just have to make sure you don't end up right in the middle! Some of the clouds are just too big, and you can't avoid them."

Just as night follows day, so Cayard overtook Silk Cut, but the margins were negligible and Smith knew there was everything to gain from keeping up the pressure. Sure enough, he forced an error as Cayard stayed too close inshore and had to rethink his sail plan when he was headbutted by the wind. Smith meanwhile was flying his big masthead kite and a tiny advantage turned into a 15 nm lead.

"Frustrating," Cayard hissed. "Came into Barbuda with a reacher on while Silk Cut got up high on the rhumb line [and] were able to carry spinnakers all the way ... watching a 20-nm lead turn into a 15-nm deficit is not fun."

But all he had to do was stay ahead of Merit Cup and Swedish Match for EF Language to stay top of the points table and that proved pretty straightforward. Smith led the fleet into Fort Lauderdale, four days earlier than expected and one hour ahead of Cayard, while Krantz and Dalton cantered in behind.

Everyone was pleased for Smith. He had sailed a brilliant leg and deserved his first victory of the race, especially after the mast traumas in the previous leg.

Everyone realised, furthermore, that Cayard was now unbeatable, as a grumpy sounding Dalton pointed out when he arrived in Florida. "I guess EF Language has the whole thing in the bag now barring accidents. We are now chasing for second and third position overall."