Hello Race fans! I'm Race commentator Rowdy Gaines. This week in the Great Turtle Race is going to be the most important, as the turtles try to cover great distances as fast as possible and get to their Caribbean destinations!

Nueva Esperanza and Wawa Bear are neck-and-neck and look like they're both headed for South America. How long until they get there?

Meanwhile, Billy is on a straight course toward Puerto Rico and making great time, as is Seabiscuit. He has really made up water on the leaders, making a straight line toward the Caribbean. He looks like he is on a mission! Backspacer, Nightswimmer, Cali, and Estéban are also coming on strong.

Illustration by Chris Rooney

Speaking of Estéban, he is the winner of the first swimming challenge! He swam through cold water for an incredible 27.4 percent of his time in cold water. By cold, we mean colder than 15°C / 60°F!

Olympic champion Cullen Jones has been working with the turtles to get them to break new barriers in diving on just one breath. The results from the longest dive challenge will be posted on Friday, April 24th.

Take a step to help all leatherback sea turtles (and other animals, too)! Take the NO MORE PLASTIC! Pledge.