Lighter winds, slower speeds are the order of the day for those at the head of the Vendée Globe fleet.
While J-P Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) resumes a more southerly course, now down to 49’28 and well into ice territory, there has been a small gain on the more northerly course to Seb Josse (BT) who climbs back into his more usual domain, the top 3, to lie second 37.9 miles behind Dick who has now lead for two days.
Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) remains very much in touch and is just 2.6 miles behind Josse on the standings, while fourth placed Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) has eased another 11 miles clear of fifth placed Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3) during the night period.
As the breeze eases and become less settled in direction so the chasing pack are given the chance to gain again after incurring bigger deficits over the last two to three days. Bernard Stamm, SUI, (Cheminées Poujoulat) has been working hard at setting his Farr design up (formerly JP Dick’s Paprec-Virbac) for the 30 knots conditions but has been making high averages. Stamm passed the Kerguelen Ice Gate last night at about 2300hrs UTC, reporting this morning:
“The wind has now strengthened considerably. First there were just 30-knot gusts with a steady 18-20 knots. Not easy to get sails just right, especially downwind. At daybreak, at around 3h UTC, the wind had strengthened to a steady 30 knots and came around, so now I'm close reaching. Just changed the sails again, but don't think it will last. Managed to get some sleep between manoeuvres. Going back to bed now."
The Swiss skipper has ten miles to make up to steal Sam Davies, GBR, (Roxy) for 15th place, but Sam is clearly not ready to give her long held place up easily and this morning was showing the highest 1h average speed of the fleet on the double Vendée Globe winning Finot-Conq design.
How close are those in the south running to known, tracked ice? Stamm passed about 30 miles north of ice this morning which is north of the track taken by Dick a matter of a couple of days ago.
Jonny Malbon, GBR, (Artemis II) became the 19th skipper to join the fray in the Indian Ocean, after making a major clean up and maintenance tour of his Rogers design, ready for his first solo passage across these notorious waters.
Arnaud Bossières (Akenas Verandas) reported a large broach – saying his boat had slipped on a banana skin – losing his wind-generator.
It would be surprising if today was declared holiday on board. It is one of the paradoxes of ocean racing. When the wind eases off, there are plenty of other jobs to do. Time for a spring clean after all the mess left everywhere, some odd repair jobs, catch up on some sleep. In the wings, they are getting ready to position themselves for the arrival of another low.
The computers are working on the weather models, as everyone knows a few moments of calm could be those vital moments, when you find the best route. Let us not forget either the warriors charging from behind again.
At the front, Jean-Pierre Dick is preparing to drop " Joséphine " in the
