Vendée Globe

A summary of the French speaking skippers from Sunday's radio broadcast: Riou:' can see Le Cléac'h regularly, Le Cléac'h: 'monotonous conditions', Bilou: 'Golding annoying me', Le Cam: 'getting used to heeling over, Boissieres: ' was alongside Foncia in the Doldrums'

4^th at + 46.9 miles, Vincent Riou (PRB):  Wind a little less stable in strength and direction, so that gives him a bit more work to do, which is no bad thing, as yesterday fairly boring.  Gap between frontrunners not important.  Doesn't think much change for a few days. Uncertain, but a cold front on Thursday is developing over Brazil and that could change things, but 3 or 4 days of upwind sailing and maybe even a week. Daily check-up, as aware that a minor piece of damage can become very serious. Certainly going to be stressful for Jérémie Beyou with that sort of damage.  News like that likely to encourage him to be more alert and carry out more inspections.  Thinks Beyou will  have to be cautious as rig is much less secure.  Can occasionally see Armel when squalls disappear.

5^th at + 51.3 miles, Armel Le Cléac'h (BritAir): A bit monotonous in terms of conditions.  Wind strengthened during night, but eased off again this morning.  Choppy seas, so boat banging upwind. Wind 22 knots and squally so that puts strain on the boat.  Regularly checking for wear and damage. Sorry to hear Jérémie Beyou's news, as a great friend and has had a good race until now.  Will be sending him a message.

8^th at 83.9 miles, Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): Golding annoying him as sailing so fast.  Seems to have found perfect configuration. Difficult in his 2004 boat to keep up.  Hopes it isn't going to be like this for five days with Golding gaining miles all the time.  St. Helena may hold up leaders, so possible re-grouping as they hit the south.

10^th at + 95.5 miles, Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux): Got a good rest and has been making a video.  Getting used to heeling over.  Routine and no problems.  As long as there are no problems, everything is fine, so taking advantage of that. Cold front over Brazil going to influence them later today.  Curious to do the South Atlantic upwind.  Hopes it will be the same wind on the way back.  Able to do repairs, videos, as quiet time.  Upwind, very little difference between boats.  Boat is under strain with each wave, so needs to carry out regular checks.

16^th at 411.6 miles, Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas): Was alongside Foncia, but he got stopped in Doldrums, while Foncia got away. Close to Dee Caffari too.  Route further west than leaders.  3 or 4 days ahead of upwind sailing and very uncertain about after that.  Quiet night and got some rest.  Got breakfast calmly this morning. Lots of little things to do, but fairly routine. On hearing news of Beyou, thinks he will need to keep an eye on his boat.  Takes an hour to do full inspection.

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