Vendée Globe

They said it....A long way to go, broaches, damp that gets to you. The French speaking skippers said....

Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2):  A long way to go, so needs to be cautious and not push too hard.  Doesn't think the boat has been suffered too much. A few rays of sunshine.  long surf that you don't find anywhere else.  Lots of birds, more than he has seen here before.  At the moment sea still a bit too confused to go at full speed. Mike Golding is clearly someone to be scared of in the south, as he has experience and innovative ideas on his boat.  Nice to see that this isn't a French race but an international race.

Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Groupe Maisonneuve):  It's freezing!  Not much fun in the night.  After the high speeds to the cape of Good Hope, rather the opposite  since.  Last night struggled with his gennaker in a squall and boat broached, heeled over on her side, so everything is wet.  Has had radar on watching for icebergs.  A new low moving in so expecting 50 knot gusts.

Sébastien Josse (BT): Pushed along by steady winds 28-30 knots) since this morning. Insists on need to preserve the boat and equipment.  Not really that cold, but it's the damp that makes you suffer, as it gets everywhere.!

Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Ocean Vital): Back to staysail and three reefs this afternoon, as SW'ly swell and 40 knot winds.  Needs to be permanently trimming as typical confused southern ocean seas.

Dominique Wavre (Temenos) Happy this morning as good speed again. 6 metre waves, but high speed sailing.  Slid off a wave at 30 knots. Few birds.  No albatrosses, but a few petrels.  Has been pushing hard to make gains.  Very noisy, so is listening to recorded radio programmes with headphones to forget the noise.  In spite of full moon, dark at night as very cloudy skies. Black shadowy mountains of waves but no icebergs.  Has been in contact with Eliès and Guillemot about risk of icebergs in the area. Hasn't spent much time at the helm.  Sea temperature 3°, so outside very quickly feel frozen.

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia):  Wind has eased off, which explains why he has slowed.  Not a lot going on until Australia, so better to be here rather than 500 miles behind.  A few little odd jobs, but nothing serious. Seas are now fairly calm and sun came out to offer a bit of warmth.  Sailing alongside a whale. Thinks his boat is same as a couple of others like BT, but difference is his hard work. Slept too long during the night, which explains why he didn't react.

Loïck Peyron (Gitana 80): Moving towards the north, but the wind isn't in the best direction.  Under jury rig made from the boom with a piece of the mainsail. Surprised how fast he is managing to go.    Continuing northwards.  May be towed to South Africa, otherwise he will continue to Australia under jury rig.  Life goes on.  Able to continue reading his books now.  No explanation, but masts have this nasty tendency to fall down.  Low centre of gravity and boat being tossed around.

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