Vendée Globe

Many of the French skippers taking part in today's radio session complained about the wet, uncomfortable conditions they have been experiencing over the past week.  They hope to take advantage of the final moments of warm weather to clean and wash, while this weekend also offers an opportunity to prepare the boats for the south.  Inspections, final checks and mast climbs are scheduled...   

Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Groupe Maisonneuve): Wet and heeled over so testing conditions.  About 5 hrs of sleep in 24h , 3-5 hours studying the weather, 2 hours at the helm, plus time to tidy up and make sure everything is in place, also time looking after himself, as salt water can affect skin and personal hygiene is vital.  Pays attention to that now as when crossing the Atlantic earlier in year had skin problem around wrists.  Only 30 miles from Derek Hatfield.  Pleased to have closed gap and thinks it can continue as weather offers opportunities ahead.

 Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement):  Wind has eased off after some stronger conditions yesterday.  Like a new start.  First time he has seen Doldrums and St. Helena like this.  Had to leave radio, as wind shifted...Back again. Feeding his crickets.  Challenge is to bring them back to Les Sables.  He picked them up at Cape Verde Islands.  Maybe worse facing the south when you've already been there. Busy thinking of short term problem of St. Helena, so slow preparation.  Saw an albatross.  Next 48 hours will determine, who was right about positioning near the high.  Must not be led to excesses by racing against rivals, as aware of need to look after his boat.  Usually pleasant and peaceful after the Equator, but that wasn't the case over the past week.     

Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air):  Positions don't mean much because all heading south and they are not getting closer to finish, but pleased where he is.  Two Finot boats at the front.  Will have to wait and see what happens when they start to head east.   All a  question of how fast the high moves eastwards. Taking advantage to check boat over this afternoon as wind drops off in order to carry out an inspection of the boat and climb mast, before they reach the southern seas.

Vincent Riou (PRB):  Better than yesterday evening.  Pleasant sailing today.  Reaching upwind now for eight days.  Can see two other boats. Day for tidying up.  Getting ready for cooler conditions. Preparing the boat and his gear.  Cleaning the boat and washing.  Hopes to be sailing downwind in 24 hours or so.  Conditions haven't been extraordinary since the start.  Off South Africa weather not looking that good either.  Turning left sometime tomorrow. A bit to the south-east to begin with.  Then on other side of the high hopes to get stronger downwind conditions to reach the first Ice Gate.   

Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Océan Vital):  Wind turbines working well.  Strengthening trade winds, so batteries fully charged.  Climbed the mast yesterday to finish preparation of the boat by making final adjustments to the shrouds.  Got lots of bruises and was not an easy job.

Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux):  Last night wasn't very easy, as seas were nasty.  Result of past wind as confused seas. Tough on the boats, as over a week of slamming into the waves.  Usually here it's dry downwind conditions, so is going to be running out of clothes.  Hoping for quieter conditions, as he's going to have to climb the mast and inspect the boat before the southern seas.  Important discovery: He has learnt that dipping his rusk in his coffee the jam will stay on it, because of Archimedes Principle.

Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat):  Wind on the beam and progressing well.  Birthday today!  Fastest in the fleet still and now under 800 miles from the leader

 

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