Jean Le Cam has just passed through the final ice gate, 20 hours behind Foncia, and sounded tired a little less enthusiastic and phlegmatic than usual when he spoke on the first radio vacs of the new year. Behind him Vincent Riou and Areml Le Cleach are about 260 miles to the final gate, around 700 miles behind Foncia.

Sam Davies, meantime, has just made the West Pacific gate. Brian Thompson confirmed he has found the fault with the power to his main alternator which had blown it up, and he has been going quick on Bahrain Team Pindar.

Steve White called home last night at midnight and has his pilots repaired and has been making good speed, although he is getting more than 30 knots of wind and is battling upwind at the moment, he is around 400 miles SE of the South Island, New Zealand.

Here is a short summary of what the French speaking skippers said today: 

Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux):    Fairly strong winds expected on route down to Cape.  400 miles may seem a lot, but there is the passage of the Horn and the climb back up the Atlantic.  Anything could happen. (Sounding very tired) Clearly this sort of work and the stress are tiring.   Clearly gates were very necessary.  Looking at pace and speed of leaders, it would have been very dangerous further south.  Coville says there are icy conditions and snow around the Horn and so wants more information.  Ate calf sweetbreads for special meal.

Vincent Riou (PRB):  Calmer conditions today and boat progressing well as he approaches gate, which he should pass this evening. 25 knots of wind sailing downwind.  700 miles from the leader is a lot, but it all depends on the weather. Then, there is the climb up the Atlantic. They knew two weeks ago that by letting Desjoyeaux get away there was a risk of not being able to catch up, but priority is to finish the race and if he'd pushed harder, which may not even have been possible, who knows what would have happened in terms of damage. May be openings, but quite possibly there won't be any in the South Atlantic.  Very changeable conditions in the Atlantic, whereas the Pacific doesn't change much. Ankle no longer a handicap.

Sam Davies (Roxy):  Last time she was down here (in a multihull) thought it was like living in a fridge down here, but now feels warm in comparison. Likes taking photos to have souvenirs for herself.  Not washing so skin dried out and not much walking so thinks her legs are like chicken skin.  Hasn't had any major damage or major storms like others, so feels fine still. Only moment of suffering, the only time she felt like crying  was when she banged her elbow.  Talked to Jean-Pierre.   He said he was giving her sixth place for the New Year.  Still a long way to go and finishing the race is important for her. Seas allowing high speed on surf (25 knot peak speed) but wind down to about 20 knots now.  Can't sleep when wind drops off.

Marc Guillemot (Safran): Pacific is calmer now than a few days ago, but grey and wet. 12°C.  15 knots of wind.  2000 miles behind, but that doesn't take into account his bonus for stopping with Yann Eliès.  He is in a different weather system anyway, so gap irrelevant.  Doesn't like celebrating alone, so that can wait until he is back with friends and family.  Has been checking the mast regularly after his problem and ended 2008 with a climb.  Hoping to be able to use second reef by fixing the head board to that part of track in the future.

Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Ocean Vital): Quiet time for New Year's Eve with champagne and foie gras.  Now the wind is stronger again. May carry out repairs at Auckland Island or Stewart Island or maybe even after the Horn, as would like to stay with Norbert. Fine weather helped recharge batteries and able to repair some of panels too.