Vendée Globe

A round up of who said what in French at today's radio vacs, broadcast live from Paris, France.

Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux): Yesterday was very lively conditions, but calmer today.  In a gang of ten, who are crazy, who are fairly often taking things to or beyond reasonable limits. Thinks he is being reasonable, but difficult to know where to place cursor. Maybe even no one is being reasonable, but some are more reasonable than others. You get used to the excesses.  At the moment pleasant conditions in lighter winds.  Can't sleep, as so much to worry about.  It is reasonable to move the Ice Gate, as this prevents competitors taking extreme options in the south.

Bibi and Léon the hedgehog were found in his food store yesterday!

Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Groupe Maisonneuve): 20-25 knots of wind, but feeling colder now, so it was on with the fleeces last night. Seas are different here, so discovering the far south. Very different climate. Fears the cold and storms. Pleased to have made it back with other competitors, as didn't want to face the southern seas alone.  Finds the pace tiring and has eased off a bit before facing the storms in the south.

Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas):  Transition this morning.  Very quiet to start and now wind has returned and boat surfing. Albatrosses and other boats have been following him. Expecting very strong winds tonight and for next two days. Has rested and ready to tackle the south.  Not yet too cold by day and some sunshine. Steve White and Bernard Stamm seem determined to get by him.

Vincent Riou (PRB): Wind eased off this morning after the front went over. Last night broached and boat went over on her side as the front arrived. Hurt his foot, but nothing serious.  No damage to the boat, but needed to tidy up inside. Sailed calmly after that.  Thinks it was a wise decision made by Race Directors to move Ice Gate.  Will limit the risks.  Prefers racing to having to watch out for ice.  Stronger winds on the way.

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Ennvironnement): Calm morning after some tricky, rough conditions during the night, as the wind shifted and nasty, confused seas.  15-16 knots of boat speed in light winds this morning.  Surfing is a bit like life.  Two hours of suffering for a few seconds of pleasure.  Peak speeds yesterday around 28 knots, but some saying they went over 30 knots.  Not easy to sleep because of stress and noise. Obsessed with fear of damaging the boat. Hasn't written to Father Christmas, but hopes he will pay him a visit.  Insists on the importance of bringing home his rubbish and not dumping it at sea.

Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air): Clear skies after front went over and wind shift. More stable conditions with 15-20 knots of wind. Surfing waves during the night where he went along at 25-30 knots. Planning a gybe to pass the gate, as difficult to reach it directly.  Fairly cold during the night.  Now sea temp 6°, air temp 10-12°.  Starting to discover conditions are different from North Atlantic and getting used to it.  Michel Desjoyeaux has taken advantage of good condition in Doldrums and St. Helena to get back in the race, but not worried about what others are doing, as enough to keep him busy anyway.

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