Nothing separates the leading two boats as they round the top of the North Island in the sixth leg of the Volvo Ocean race from Hong Kong to Auckland.

Team Scallywag have closed in on AkzoNobel with just over 180 nautical miles to go to the finish.

Third placed Turn The Tide on Plastic are just over 10 nautical miles off the lead.

The leading trio are sailing in very light winds which are expected to pick up as they head down the east coast of Northland.

The leaders are expected in Auckland early tomorrow morning.