Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2):  Birth on board last night.  A  new steering system.  Not yet up and running, but ready to be used tomorrow.  The aim was to consolidate the cassette by fixing it to the transom.  So with bolts and screws, wedges he has given birth to "Ivory", the new steering system, (named after Ebony and Ivory).  Hoping that it will work.  40% of risk that it won't he reckons.  Spent the day working on repairs (night in France) and some big waves. Doesn't really like doing DIY.  Pleased to have succeeded this first stage, but frustrating seeing the leaders get away.  The wind got up to thirty during the night. Gybed 15 mins ago and about to head back south with some more sail.  Boat speed still fairly slow meanwhile.

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia):  Bare interior, but not uncomfortable.  Can easily hop outside. Keyboard easy to use.  Missing a dining table.  Racing because he wants to get home as soon as possible.  He is capable of easing off.  Has made some mistakes, but that's only normal.  I don't know why I am going faster.  Can't understand why Bilou slowed down slightly in comparison.  Maybe it was deliberate or maybe he has a problem.

Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux): Not too cold except when you wake up. 30-knot winds and seas are reasonable.  Feels calm in 30 knot winds. If it drops off to 15 knots, you don't know what to do any more.   39th day?  Already.  Almost halfway then?  The 40th tomorrow?  Great to be in this group with the friends from Port-la Forêt -the 4 Musketeers.  Ahead there is a calm zone, so the chasers could easily catch up.  He's seen that before in round the world races.

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): Seas are calmer allowing smoother sailing.  30-knot winds, but much more relaxing without cross seas. There could be a  grouping of boats off New Zealand, or alternatively the leaders could extend their lead.  Mich is setting the pace, so the goal is not to let him get ahead, as long as there is no risk to the boat. With rankings every five hours or so, we tend to keep an eye on what the rivals are doing.  Sometimes that means he can rest but sometimes that means he needs to go on the attack.  Crickets are lucky for the Chinese, so maybe they are a sort of talisman for him. Still has doubts with the date and place, which weren't kind to him.

Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Ocean Vital):  I have dived south to 48°23' and there are a lot of icebergs in the area. I'm sailing with my friend,  Norbert.  I shall head back up to the north of the Kerguelens. I was going to stop to carry out repairs, but after seeeing what happened to Dominique Wavre, I've now decided to continue to New Zealand.  I have an old halyard, but it is not very reliable.  It's a long job with the lines, halyard cover, splicing etc.  I don't want to risk running aground, so will avoid the islands.  I haven't had really heavy seas, but cross seas, which make it difficult for the pilot.  I broached three times north of Marion Island. We also need to watch out for squalls, which creep up on us.