While Josse was quickest overnight making 19.8 knots at 02h-03h – average 16.5 ktst, more recently it is Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) who has been tclcocking up 19.2 knots, averaging 18.5 between the position reports– fastest of the whole fleet – and is now up to ninth place.

Mike Golding, GBR (Ecover 3) has also gained one place again with his southerly position and is eighth, posting the second quickest speeds after Mich Desj, while Armel Le Cléac’h has paid a price for staying in the north on BritAir and has slipped to 10^th.

For the leaders the new low pressure system will give them about 30-40 knots of NW’ly wind as they make for the second ice security gate about 230 miles to the east, Dick and Golding will discover how much of a return their investment in the south will pay. Dick said on the radio vacs today that he had been monitoring the ice situation very closely, keeping at least 40 miles from one area of known ice that is being closely monitored.