Vendée Globe

LIve from the French speaking skippers this lunchtime in Paris, here is a summary of what was said.

14th, 265.3 miles behind leader, Marc Guillemot (Safran): 6 or 7 whales danced for him yesterday afternoon. Very impressive sight.  Now 250 miles behind leader -  may seem a lot, but taking into account the total distance, not too worrying.  Variable conditions with decent trade winds, light trade winds and symptoms of Doldrums.  Can see leaders are in wind hole.  Further west more wind, but after Doldrums, wind angle will not be so good.  Bilou will be advancing for now, but after Doldrums impossible to say. Managing to find the right rhythm of work and rest, as in harmony with his boat.  The more he sails, the better he feels.

11th, +208.9 miles Dominique Wavre (Temenos):  Better this morning, as a bit more wind after 7 or 8 gybes in the night.  Leaders slowed, so currently his speed is much higher than them.  Making 8-9 knots at the moment, but variable oscillating between 5 and 10 knots of speed. Very hot and has a headache, so drinking a lot of water, but does not feel too tired.   Spending about two hours studying weather charts and positions.

18th +332.1 miles Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia): Doldrums look very wide, so judgement can only be made on the other side.  Only normal that the gap is narrowing for now.  Spent a lot of night lying in cockpit.  Sun and hot weather now.  12-14 knots under spinnaker and full mainsail. Slight swell still, but pleasant sailing conditions.  Hoping that a lot of boats will be coming out of the Doldrums at the same time, as that will add suspense to the race. In any case, the Doldrums looking very uncertain for everyone.   Likely to be slowed down, when he goes through, but by how much?

10th + 100.3 miles Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore):  Satisfied with current performance.  Lot of uncertainty ahead and luck needed.  Lots of work, but very tiring in heat.  Beard growing and continuing to metamorphose.  More like the life of an animal than that of a civilised human being. After calm last night, wind has returned and speeding along at 9.4 knots at the moment.
As heat builds, wind tends to drop off and hard to work in heat. Beyond the Doldrums, St Helena looks tricky too.

13th + 223.8 miles Sam Davies (Roxy): Wearing her bikini.  A good night's rest with 5 hours of sleep.  Would like to be further west, but at the moment conditions are quite good. Racing against Brian Thompson in a very different type of boat.  She has dropped back, because she has headed off to the west, but hopes it will pay off in next few days.  Talked things over when they were close using the VHF radio.
 

1st ----21049 miles to sail, leading by 14 miles: Loïck Peyron (Gitana 80): Very irregular.  A bit thundery during the night, but clear skies now, although wind is very light and variable.  Very local phenomena.  Hasn't seen positions yet.  Has no idea when he will make it out to the other side.  No point in worrying.  Doldrums moving south with him like ducks in winter.  As long as there's no major loss, he's not particularly worried, as others in similar situation. Probably everyone will suddenly come out the other side together, so no major changes.  33° so planning to wash, but that means a good rinse afterwards.
 

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