The seven-strong fleet set off for leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race from Lisbon to Lorient, France on Sunday.
MAPFRE, runners-up in leg 7 and winners of the Lisbon in-port race, led the fleet into the open ocean.
China's Dongfeng Race Team are currently in fourth place.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing leads Team Brunel and Dongfeng Race Team by 6 points with two legs to go.
The Skipper of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing Ian Walker says he was keeping a eye on the weather.
"When we get north we'll have no shortage of wind. It's going to be windy off the northwest corner of Spain; not for too long, but windy".
The boats almost came to a stand-still on the Lisbon waters but more wind is expected as the fleet heads north.
