Vendée Globe

The countdown has begun… the leading skippers have about one more day of sailing before they have to negotiate the centre of the high pressure system which is currently around 300 miles south of the first boats.

Today is a key moment in the race, where cool heads will be required. The ability to adapt and react will be key as the high, currently in front of their bows, gives way to another one moving towards St. Helena.

Overnight there’s been little change at the front of the fleet, as the leaders all bide their time in preparation for the shake-up that seems inevitable over the next 24-hours. Second-placed Seb Josse has closed to within 10 miles of leader Loïck Peyron and moved slightly closer to Gitana 80’s track.

While the leaders are steady at 12-14 knots, the boat clocking the fastest times is unquestionably Foncia. About 350 miles back from the leaders, Michel Desjoyeaux has been regularly hitting 16-17 knots and eating down the miles. Foncia passed to the west of the Isle of Trinidad last night, and is now further south than British skipper Sam Davies on Roxy, who has a line to the east of the islands.

Ahead of them Dominque Wavre (Temenos) has also pulled slightly further south of Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar, GBR), again by being on the western side.

Jonny Malbon (GBR) on Artemis has moved up to 18th position overnight, overhauling Unai Baskuro (ESP) in this morning’s rankings.

The 23rd competitor to reach the southern hemisphere, Norbert Sedlacek, also crossed the Equator on Nauticsport-Kapsch early this morning.




 

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