Vendée Globe

From the French speaking radio vacations, live from the centre of a chilly, windy Paris this weekend:

1st 20628.4 miles to go Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty): Crossing the Equator is always a special occasion. Hot weather still and boat banging into waves, but not much work to do to sail the boat at the moment.  A weekend of rest.  In the lead, simply because he is going a little bit faster than rivals. No easing off in pace over two weeks and boat requires permanent attention. Important to keep checking everything is fine.

3rd +36.5 miles,  Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec Virbac2):  Time to get some rest after hard work of past two weeks.  Choppy seas, so banging into waves. A piece of net caught under boat, which slowed him down.  Tried to free it, but ended up diving to get it away.   Hove to and had a rope over to be able to get back on board.  Wasn't too worrying as warm water.  Climbing the mast is more scary.

9th + 85.6 miles  Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore): Making good headway, although not as good as Loïck.  Thinks Loïck is pushing hard, making more extreme choices and more daring than he is. Doesn't have same motivation to win.  He would be pleased with a good result and more conservative than Loïck. Did not celebrate or even notice Equator crossing, as he was sleeping.  In upwind sailing trying to hit waves at good angle to avoid being slowed down.  Small differences only in trajectory in this section of the race. Has checked boat over, except for mast, as doesn't like climbing it. With heat, has been keeping an eye on engine to avoid overheating. Hardest part was tiring work before Doldrums in the heat, but now can rest more.  Not a lot to do but wait, so patience needed.

11th + 193 miles behind leader, Dominique Wavre (Temenos): 15 knots of wind in upwind conditions. Seas not too rough. Too far away to see but not a long way from St. Peter and St. Paul's Rocks.  Got through the Doldrums easily, but those following on behind are being held up. Today is going to get some rest.  Looking ahead to next obstacle. Thinks leaders may get held up, so good news for pack chasing after them.

13th +222.9 miles Sam Davies (Roxy): Passed through Doldrums without noticing them.  Passed close to St. Peter and St. Paul's Rocks, but couldn't see them. Safran catching up, but aware her boat isn't as fast in straight racing.  Getting used to heeling over.  Probably feels more comfortable than in newer boats.

14th + 231.1 miles,  Marc Guillemot (Safran):  Got through Doldrums without any problems.  Everything is stacked to confront these conditions.  Patient but determined to close the gap.   Trying to get in position further east to take advantage of trade winds in coming days.  Choppy seas meaning it's not comfortable, but Safran coping well.  Still hot inside.

15th,  +345.9 miles Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia):  Held up for a while in the Doldrums, but didn't last too long. Thinks Sam is doing particularly well, particularly as she has older boat. Has been talking with Sam about joy of being at sea.  Will soon be seeing the difference between a new and an older generation boat.  Because he's further back, feels he can communicate more openly than if he was in the lead. South Atlantic unusual as high disappearing and a messy pattern ahead.  A week of upwind sailing before picking up a low from Brazil. Is already looking at charts for far south and long-term strategy.

22nd +596.7 miles Raphaël Dinelli (Ocean Vital Fondation): Just about to enter the Doldrums and is already experiencing squalls.  Swell from several directions with a NE'ly wind. Huge clouds ahead, so may be tricky as expecting gusts and then calms. In spite of his handicap with headsail, is pleased with his position. Worried about lightning.  Has been continuing to work hard, as there was a lot of work to do.  Batteries fully charged for the moment and hopes to use his wind turbine fully on other side of Doldrums.
 

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