Vendée Globe

265 miles was the distance covered by Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec) over the past 24 hours. In other words, tomorrow at the same time for the first check-in,JP could be 130 miles from the finishing line, as the weather is not likely to change much over the next 24 hours. At this rate, and as expected, the yachtsman from Nice should be arriving during the afternoon tomorrow in Les Sables d’Olonne. Behind, the battle is still raging between Conrad Humphreys (Hellomoto) and Joé Seeten (Arcelor Dunkerque). The main news story this morning is that the gap between the two has fallen to just 13 miles.

With an average of 11.1 knots over the past 24 hours and having covered 265 miles, Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec) is being kept busy off Cape Finisterre (Spain). In fact, JP is still experiencing a westerly-sou’westerly forcing him to tack with the wind three quarters aft towards Les Sables d’Olonne. JP is currently 232 miles north west of La Coruna (Spain) and is sailing on the starboard tack with the wind coming from his right. His Farr design boat is continuing downwind surfing along on the northern edge of the Azores high. At this rate, we can calculate that JP should only have 130 miles left to cover tomorrow morning, thus confirming his ETA in Les Sables for the middle of the afternoon.

The battle is raging between Conrad Humphreys (Hellomoto) and Joé Seeten (Areclor Dunkerque). Only 13 mile separate the two contenders, who are sticking to their options. In fact, Joé passed the island of Flores (Azores) during the night, while Conrad should be passing through the Portuguese islands between Terceira and Sao Miguel sometime today, as he is 143 miles from them this morning. While Joé had been moving away from the direct route over the past few days, and so losing miles in the rankings, he has been back on the direct route since yesterday evening catching Conrad and fighting it out for seventh place. It’s now going to be fascinating to see who gained the most from their respective choices. While Joé deliberately chose to round the centre of the high on the western side by taking the long way around downwind, Conrad chose to cut straight through the high, sailing upwind in light airs. Who is going to win? We shall know in 24-48 hours.

No major changes for Bruce Schwab (Ocean Planet), who is still sailing close hauled into the north easterly trades. The American was 800 miles off Nouadhibou (Mauritania) this morning

Benoît Parnaudeau (Max Havelaar/Best Western) is fast approaching the Northern Hemisphere, and this morning was 70 miles from the Equator. Benoît covered 210 miles over the past 24 hours, at an average speed of 8.8 knots. He is benefiting from the south easterly trades on a northerly bearing, and should be crossing the imaginary line at around 31° longitude. Next up the Doldrums, which should be felt at around 1°N.

Anne Liardet (Roxy) is currently 108 miles south east of Recife (Brazil) and the horn of Brazil. This landmass is forcing her to sail upwind in rough seas making 7 knots headway. Anne is in the trade winds, which should propel her to the Equator. The wind is variable in direction at the moment, forcing her to work hard on manoeuvres, as it comes around from head on to on the beam. This morning, Anne was 610 miles from the Equator.

Raphaël Dinelli (Akena Vérandas) was 330 miles south east of Porto Seguro (Brazil) this morning. Raphaël is making difficult headway passing through the transition zone, which he had forecast the day before yesterday. Only 93 miles on the clock over 24 hours at an average of 3.9 knots. Certainly a tricky situation. He will find salvation to the north as the south easterly trades pick up from the north east. Patience!

The same message goes out to Karen Leibovici (Benefic), who is sailing closer to land. Karen is126 miles from Cabo de Sao Tomé in Brazil, and is now only 200 miles astern of Raphaël off to her north east. Slow speed for Karen too, who has nevertheless won back 20-30 miles every 24 hours from Akena Vérandas. Slowly but surely...

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