Vendée Globe

The dominant news for all the skippers on today’s live radio broadcasts was the rescue of Yann Elies by the Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Arunta – visitors to the Vendée Globe headquarters in the Tour Montparnasse in Paris applauded as eyewitness Marc Guillemot described the successful RIB transfer. 

Other welcome news was the Jean-Pierre Dick has managed to effect a repair to his broken starboard rudder.
At the front of the fleet race leader Michel Dejoyeaux (Foncia) has been traversing a ridge of high pressure which saw the chasing yachts gain slightly on Foncia — fourth-placed Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) making up over 40 miles since this morning’s early update.
Of the international skippers, Sam Davies on Roxy will now gybe and continue towards the next racing mark, after heading north to assist Yann Elies. Steve White (14th) has been battling autopilot problems which saw Toe in the Water repeatedly crash-tacking out of control, but reported today that his repairs to the autopilot drivers and rams are holding up and he’s back up to racing pace.
Brian Thompson on Bahrain Team Pindar (11th) has also donned a white protective suit to repair cracks to his ballast tanks. Brian said: “The boat is smelling of epoxy and I’ve been on deck twice. I’m just going slowing and repairing the forward longitudinal, which is part of the forward ballast tank. There are four horizontal panels and two of them broke yesterday morning. I’ve been working all night and all day today to try and get it repaired, and I’m nearly there. It’s the structure that keeps the bow stiff, there are four of these beams going forward and with two broken I’ve got to stiffen it up. There’s a 45-degree crack from the base of the keel bulkhead, about 700mm on both sides, so I’ve had to cut holes in the tank to relaminate it. It’s a bit of a nervous moment because I really want to finish this race.”

Today’s summary from this morning’s radio broadcasts with the French skippers:
1st — Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia):  I wasn't worried about the rescue so that's good news that Yann is being taken off.  I was doing a Sudoku, which was very difficult yesterday. I tried today and did it easily, so Sudoku is a good way to see if you are on form.  I'm going to be slower over the next few hours because the others are in different winds. But afterwards I'll get them too.  I put up the spinnaker at 15 knots.  I'm not an accountant so don't concentrate on the numbers.  The ridge of high pressure went over two hours ago.  A new low set to arrive and Jean and Séb already have those winds.  We should have westerlies until south of New Zealand.  Halfway 500 miles ahead, but was wondering where Indian ended and Pacific started. .   
2nd — Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): Great news!  It's also a wonderful job that Jean-Pierre Dick is doing after a great race.  Mich is in front still, but Mich is Mich.  Leaving the Indian Ocean behind is psychologically positive for me.  After what happened before at this time of year and in this zone, I am relieved now. Veolia Environment is off to a new future.  We have 15-20 knots of wind under gennaker.  Only problem is wind is variable, so lots to do on deck — not very restful.  There are times when my boat is at ease.  I know her well enough now to know when to ease off.  Unlike Mich probably, I am not daring to hoist more sail when the wind eases, as the cross-seas are punishing for the boat in the transition zones.  They haven't yet invented the boat you can push at full speed all the way.
4th — Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux): I have had worse days.  Yesterday I got stuck in wind holes, but we're off again now.
7th — Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2): The repair was laborious. A lot of preparation. It went fairly smoothly, as it slid into place, but still under reduced speed as it is not yet solid enough.  Will need to add something to strengthen it.  Will it hold afterwards?  Can I rely on it?  Questions remain.  The rudder is in the water, so is being used, but top part is still 'wobbly'.  Four days of DIY and then manoeuvres plus stress, so now tired.  Have 20 knots of wind. Was under staysail and 3 reefs in main.  Will need to hoist some more sail now.
 

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