Vendée Globe

Michel Desjoyeaux has continued to steadily increase his lead again over second placed Roland Jourdain. Since the lined up against other again on the same tack yesterday afternoon Desjoyeaux has gained 30 miles on Bilou and now leads by 62.2 miles.

According to the second placed skipper this morning, conditions have moderated slightly with 30-35 knots of wind as they line up for the West Pacific gate, 140 miles or so to their NEE. Desjoyeaux’s DTF (distance to finish) is now in four figures rather than five, less than 10,000 miles to go.

Seb Josse will sail north for around about another 24 hours to fully assess the damage to BT after being knocked down yesterday. His biggest problem is that one of his rudders is off alignment, but he needs to keep going north to find calmer waters and less wind before making decisions.

Marc Guillemot has arrived in the Auckland Islands this morning and has now realized that the mast luff track repair he has to do will take longer. His delay will be increased because night has fallen and it will be some hours before he can get away again.

The twins have parted company, Vincent Riou heading north now, splitting from Armel Le Cléac’h who takes over fourth place from Riou. They were less than four miles apart this morning but are now separated by 55 miles on the 1000hrs poll.

Jean Pierre Dick has sailed into a wind hole, too busy working on his rudders to stay clear of the only big hole in the south Pacific, but he has been getting moving again, whilst behind him Sam Davies has been eating up the miles, fastest in the fleet this morning.

Here is the short summary of what listeners to the French language radio broadcast learned today:

Marc Guillemot (Safran): Arrived in SandyBay off EnderbyIsland an hour ago.  Saw some strange things on the beach. Lots of seals surrounding him and making a lot of noise and to the east of the island he saw one of the scientists based there.  No problem entering bay.  Climbed mast and sees there is a bit more work than he thought as track damaged on both sides.  Very annoyed with the situation.  No idea of how long it will take.  Could continue to sail with three reefs, or take his time to try to repair.  Not happy, but will try second option, but it may be a while.

Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2): Seems incredible, but has found himself trapped in wind hole, while awaiting next storm.  Still busy with his tools trying to work on rudder mechanism. Not easy to do repairs and race at the same time. Repairs he did over past few days have stabilised and rudder not too loose.  Lots of little jobs to do all the time. Still in the race, but very frustrating to have lost so much time. Still thinks he can advance in rankings, as a long way to go.

Sébastien Josse (BT): Biggest problem is rudders out of alignment, so can't steer properly.  They don't appear to be loose, but are no longer parallel.  Pilot problem too, as doesn't have wind instruments.  Can no longer go where he wants.  So has a lot of doubts.  In 24 hours, should be able to look at repairs in calmer conditions.

Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Groupe Maisonneuve), who was in the studio fresh back from South Africa:  Voyage back to Port Elizabeth was horrible with 75-knot winds in a storm and worst conditions he has ever seen.  Similar problem to Sébastien Josse. Extraordinary welcome in South Africa and met some French people, who helped him. South African customs asked where he was from and where he was going.  Les Sables-Les Sables.  They couldn't understand what he was doing down there.

Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas):  Further south than nearest rivals and in a calm zone. For the moment his option to the south is paying off, but not convinced about what will happen after.  Wind below 20 knots over past 24 hours, so seas fairly calm. Sam has left him, so now he's with Dee.  Difficult for him with his old boat.

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): Worse than yesterday.  A wave entered cabin. He was in bed.  Some damage to nav desk and electronic instruments. Keel mechanism wet, but engine seems OK.  300 litres of water inside, which he got out using pumps.

Translations by Jeremy Payne

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