Five boats within forty miles of the lead at the head of the Vendée Globe fleet as Michel Desjoyeaux takes over the third place which was held just 24 hours ago by Loïck Peyron.

Under jury rig Loick Peyron’s Gitana Eighty is making six knots NW away from track of next low.

Otherwise it is the unstoppable advance of Mich Desj who has gained two places this morning which is top of the news. He left 40 hours after the start, was 670 miles behind, now up there in the box seats. Foncia has been making 16 knots in the hour to 0930hrs GMT this morning. .

Emotions must be running close to the surface for the leaders, their hands forced by the pace of Desjoyeaux who is now up with them, but with the dismasting of Gitana a jarring reminder of what fate can deliver at any unexpected moment. Factor in the report of ice just half a mile from Foncia by Mich Desj this morning, and the tension must have racked up another notch since yesterday morning.

Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) has a lead of 35.4 miles over Roland ‘Bilou’ Jourdain on Veolia Environnement, while Desjoyeaux is a nominal third, polled to be just one tenth of a mile behind Jourdain.

From the English radio vacs this morning Derek Hatfield reported and horrendous, long night, caught out with too much sail area for the 40 knots of wind that build suddenly and unexpectedly.

Rich Wilson has made extra contingencies since hearing of Peyron’s rig loss, setting extra vectran lashings on the runners which support the rig of Great American III.

From the French was a mix of sombre disappointment for Peyron and others staying upbeat as they try to maintain the best, competitive equilibrium:

10^th  Marc Guillemot (Safran): Has gone down south quite a long way, so cold, but everything is fine. Sea temperature 2.2° .  3-metre high wave allowing short surfs. Lots of petrels, but albatrosses only seen every other day.  Not spending the whole day outside, so can stand it.  Thinks gap should now close on those further north.  Lost ground while heading down, but now expecting to reap the benefits.  Boat and sailor are in good shape, so pleased with where he is.  Disappointed to hear Loïck's news, as he'd had an excellent race until then.  Personally, does not want to push beyond limits of boat and equipment and has always been aware of that.

14^th Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat):  Cold and wet, but everything perfect. 25-33 knots of wind.  Seas still confused.  Chasing Brian Thompson, but wants to look after the boat too.  Has been busy tidying up, so hasn't had time to study weather.  A new low moving to their south should mean they will continue to have strong winds. Isn't fixing objectives, but just sailing as best he can.  Likes the climate in the southern seas with strong winds;  he doesn't like calm conditions.   Sea temperature 4°, Air temperature 6°

8^th Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air): Approaching the corridor between Heard Island and the Kerguelens. Seas allowing good speeds.  Not easy when wind shifts as that creates confused seas.  Saw a large whale sailing alongside the boat for several hours. Paying particular attention since hearing news of Loïck's dismasting.

9^th Yann Eliès (Générali): "It's freezing!"  Hardly anything dry left.  30 knots of wind, so at least good speeds.  Broke some battens yesterday, which explains loss of fifty miles.  Thinks both wing masts and classic masts have both had problems, so not particularly worried about his.

17^th Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas): 5°C outside and pleased to go down below again. For 3 or 4 days was followed by an albatross. Has his eyes on two British girls, but didn't manage to overtake Dee during the night.

7^th Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux):  Sunshine so feels a bit warmer.  Got some sleep during the night.  8.5° air temperature. Seas are good for sailing today.  Problem is not weather, but how much you push and what seas will allow.  Sea state more important than wind. Getting on with his boat, which is just as well as they have another 1.5 or 2 months left together.  Feels he is in a good place, as on the same trajectory as Jojo for example, while others are going to feel cold.  Peyron's dismasting doesn't change anything for him.  Considering the pace of the race, it's not a surprise.  Masts have always been a problem.  Now they are lighter and taller. Could happen to anyone.