Vendée Globe

From the French speaking radio vacs...Weed problems, sunshine, gybes, sunday lunch.

Sébastien Josse (BT):  Calm before the storm.  Under spinnaker. Just got over 30-knot winds and now another low is expected to reach them tomorrow with similar winds. Sees there are a lot of competitors grouped together, but aware too that three boats have had to drop out in past couple of days, so managing the pace.  Thinks his cushion for sleeping is perfect as it adapts to the shape of his body and keeps him warm and absorbs the shock. Thinks four frontrunners have pushed hard in the south, and taken greater risks. Working out for the moment, but a long way to go and there ware going to be other surprises.

Jean-Pierre Dick(Paprec-Virbac 2): Began with a gybe early today, as the wind has gone around to W/SW.  Saw that he was running into a mass of seaweed, but too late to avoid it, so weed around both rudders. Forced to furl gennaker and go backwards several times. Waiting now for next storm, which looks like being very severe.  Two distinct option between the northern route and then Bilou and him to the south. Continuing eastwards. Aware of risks, but not simple to ease off.  Thinks he is sailing within boat's limits and for the moment satisfied and has extending lead. Knows sails get torn, but trying to get ahead.  Doesn't know if he can judge the trim tab. May help the boat in stronger winds, as do the strakes.  Blue skies allowing him to use solar panels.  Lazing on a sunny afternoon...

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia): Taking advantage of sun and calm. Looking forward to his Sunday lunch. Came a long way by himself with his "gun over his shoulders", now in a group with others.  Doesn't know why Golding has come back up, as he was well positioned. Thinks Jean-Pierre is the only one so far, who has taken advantage of what he's been doing.

Sam Davies (Roxy): 20 knots of boat speed, reaching. 4° air temp, 4° sea temp.   After fun of playing with snowballs, saw a huge iceberg. The first she has seen and impressed by colours and beauty, but says it's as dangerous as a rock.  Pleased to be moving up in rankings, but feels sad about Stamm and Wavre.  Was using Stamm to compare speeds. Seas are calmer and doesn't think she is pushing too hard, in spite of best speeds in fleet.  Hasn't yet felt down, but is afraid of feeling low once the race is over.  Aware anything could happen, but still enjoying herself just as much.

Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Ocean Vital): Was at the heart of the low yesterday.  Now much calmer. Has known worse.  Not the strength of the wind as such but the wind shifts and variable strength that were tiring.  Halyard still stuck at the top of the mast as he couldn't stop, but thinking of putting into Morbihan Bay, but will depend on weather and sea state.  When he tried to climb last time that was when he injured his knee and now has abscess.  Still inflamed.

Yann Eliès (Générali):  4 or 5° warmer, making it feel more comfortable in the boat.  Racing close to Marc Guillemot.  Hopes to close the gap.  Had a few odd jobs to deal with.  Deck supports need to be bolted and stuck. Slight leak around emergency hatch.  All the ingredients are coming together in this race - adventure, human interest stories,a great race... Wouldn't want to be in Wavre's place, but a great experience for him too, as he's going to have some interesting meetings and then set sail again.

Marc Guillemot (Safran): First time since entering the Indian Ocean that it has been sunny. That feels great after the wet weather and then seeing the gaps widen.  Chatted to Yann Eliès, who wasn't far away.  He's the new neighbour and it's nice to feel that you're not alone.  When he lifted starboard daggerboard felt it was light, so something wrong.  Fortunately had a spare one, but took an hour to change over, particularly as he didn't want to damage deck.  Hook broke on rudder again, making helm heavy, so damage was worse than he expected. Has now raised both daggerboards as sailing downwind and more cautious.  13-14 knots of wind and 12.7 knots of speed at moment. Should speed up later today.

Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Groupe Maisonneuve):  Temperature down to zero this morning, so feeling cold.  Snowing this morning, but wind much lighter, although expecting big storm later. Weather charts not precise enough to see where the low will pass.  Yesterday, wind reached 60 knots, but it was sea state that was most impressive.  Real mountains building behind the boat to the point where he didn't dare to look any more.

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