Vendée Globe

After gybing back to the SE for the backing wind, Jean Pierre Dick’s lead is now settled at 72.2 miles for the moment against Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3).  Golding has carried on a little longer, consolidating to the north a little. They are now 340 miles to the west end of the ice-gate.

And now the 100 miles ‘ring of confidence’ has contracted to just three boats. Roland Jourdain in third is now 104.7 miles behind.

The boats nearer the back of the fleet, -- Dejeanty, Wilson and Malbon have had the worst of the winds meted out by the new low system which track east. It will produce progressively less wind as it moves towards the fleet leaders who will get it tomorrow. Meantime they have this transition, backed westerly winds of around 20-25 knots to deal with. The expansion will continue as the group round Eliès, Riou Le Cam get 20 knots, the leaders will be blessed with 25 knots.

And as the next depression comes to them while Malbon and Co have had 45-50 knots at times, and more in the gusts, by the time it reaches the vanguard of the fleet they will get closer to high 30’s and maybe 40 knots. It is reaching the Kerguelens  today so will make life hard for Stamm as he tries to manoeuvre.

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