Vendée Globe

Here is a round up of the French speaking skippers reports live to the Salon Nautique from the race course between 11h and 13h today (local time).

1st Sébastien Josse(BT): Wind has eased off slightly. Leader changing regularly, which shows the high standard of competitors.  Pleased about where he is. Doesn't want to head off north or south.  Doesn't really understand why they chose that option.  High speeds while he was sleeping.  Pleased with his boat and enjoying himself.  Hasn't had any important damage.  Spending his time concentrating on sailing the boat apart from a short break watching birds.  Hasn't really had time to read or relax.

3rd Loïck Peyron (Gitana 80): Getting used to southern seas.  When winds are below 25 knots, seem to be moving slowly.   Yesterday had to deal with a series of calms and had to get back with the others.  Exciting race, but at the same time tiring.  Thinks Jean-Pierre is choosing an interesting option, as a good angle and good winds, but haven't yet seen that in the rankings.  Is putting off climbing mast as the seas are much too rough, but needs to go up to recover hook. There are bound to be material consequences to pushing the boats hard in these seas, as in any mechanical sport. Each day a little bit of repair work to do.  Physically, he feels fine.  If he rests, obviously speed drops off.  Thinks everyone is trying to pace themselves as variations in speed.

4th Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2): Another low moving in. 20 knots of wind for the moment. Hoping his position to the south will pay off.  Satellite photos show ice at 47°50, but he hasn't gone below 47°10.  Sea temperature 5.5°, so cold for the hands during manoeuvres.  In general says he has been respecting sleep rhythm.

9th Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia): Spent the night getting some sleep and tidying up.  Wind easing off to 25 -32 knots, as he is to the north.  Very grey, dull and difficult to separate sea and sky.  Hasn't been at the helm for two days. Says he hasn't been working hard.  Only went out during the night to check once and empty stern ballast. Has been in front of computer screen.  Very relaxing sailing conditions. Says he has been fairly lazy about sail changes.  Doesn't think he has been pushing hard. Wondering if he will have to as he moves up the fleet.  Almost collided with a whale yesterday. 100 metres away saw a movement, then 30 metres...Boat was more or less at a standstill, so couldn't do anything.  Makes him realise how things can rapidly change.  Air temp 10°, sea temp 8°.

11th Marc Guillemot (Safran): Cold and wet, currently in heavy seas and 30-knot winds. 15.5 to 22 knots of boat speed.  Problem is knowing how much sail to keep up, as wondering whether temporary gusts or steady wind.  No albatrosses this morning, but several petrels.  4-5 metre high waves. Very damp inside, but has a tent arrangement inside.  Feels safer in a monohull than at similar speeds in a multihull.  Sailing quickly, but wants to look after the boat. Believes Michel Desjoyeaux has more confidence in his automatic pilot, so allowing him to sail more quickly.

12th Dominique Wavre (Temenos): 25 knots of wind. Has just finished manoeuvre hoisting more sail and slightly breathless.  Moved further south during the night.  Says Ecover and Paprec-Virbac 2 are on a good route, but need to watch for ice, as they are so far south. The Ice Gates mean they can race without too much worry about icebergs.  Grey skies, white tops to waves, 4-5 metre waves, but no problem dealing with these seas.  Fewer albatrosses than four years ago.


15th Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat): In a nice NW'ly flow sailing downwind, so enjoyable.  Ahead they had less favourable weather, whereas Bernard Stamm was able to take a more direct route.  Two days of 35-knot winds, where he was able to get some rest, but has now eased off, so hesitating between two sail configurations.  Sailing as best he can and seizing any opportunities.  When he hoists gennaker, he will find out whether bowsprit has been repaired correctly.  Squid for lunch, but not the one that landed on his deck the other day

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