Vendée Globe

The Vendée Globe leaders are expected to have to deal with a period of very strong winds as they dip down the Fifties for the final 1000-1500 miles of the Pacific to Cape Horn.

The Vendée Globe leaders are expected to have to deal with a period of very strong winds as they cross the final 1000-1500 miles of the Pacific to Cape Horn.
Forecasts suggest that the top five boats will get gusts to 55 knots and seas between seven and nine metres, the first big storm this year.

Roland Jourdain echoed the sentiment of all of the top placed skippers when he said that the key priority at the present time is to keep everything in one piece before Cape Horn, rather than pressing to make small gains on this drag race to the final big left turn.
For the rest of the fleet the weather is generally more favourable. Sam Davies and Marc Guillemot are negotiating the SW Pacific gate, Dee Caffari and Arnaud Boissieres have left the New Zealand gate.
Jonny Malbon reported this morning that his mainsail problem is becoming more serious, tearing a vertical hole of more than one metre in the decaying laminate.

Meantime here is a round up of what the French speaking skippers said at today’s radio vacations:

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): 25-30 knot winds.  Seas still fairly decent, but starting to become a bit rougher.  Stronger winds forecast this afternoon.  Yesterday when front went over gusts up to 50 but above all large wind shifts.  Ice Gates took them north and so weather notably warmer up there. Water still at 8 and air temp still 9 as he approaches 50°S.  Keel ram system still not working so had to cant it manually.  20 minutes of physical effort.  For the moment up to the Horn can't do anything about Desjoyeaux as wants to protect the boat.  Afterwards between the Horn and the Falklands options and then possibilities around the St. Helena high.

Armel le Cléac'h (Brit Air): Leeward rudder kicked up after hitting something.  Boat broached and went over.  Put everything back in place and nothing broken.  Has hoist some more sail and now off again.  Took 45 mins to get back on course. Worst incident he has had in southern seas, although not due to weather. Ahead the others have more experience so began the southern seas cautiously.  Now he has more experience.  Has been growing a beard, but may shave it off at the Horn. Should pass the Horn on Tuesday night. Currently NW wind ahead of  front, but will shortly back SW'ly.  Decent conditions for the moment, but after the front, cross seas likely when he gybes.

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia):  25-30 knot winds and seas not yet rough. Was expecting worse. Should be sailing downwind to the Horn more or less on direct route, although winds expected to increase.  Sea temp 8.5°.  Has always had good conditions when rounding the Horn, so not apprehensive.  A month left after the Horn, so caution still the watchword.  The section between the Horn and the St. Helena high is not the simplest part of the race.  ETA at the Horn early on Monday morning.

Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas): The wind 35 knots allowing pleasant sailing.  Happy to be in tenth place, but only there because of skippers retiring. thinks he has been lucky and  a long way to go. Brian has a different boat so a different tactic at times, but close fight with Dee. They have been talking about their sail problems.

Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2): Trying to get to Auckland.  Will take time, but determined.  May be able to sail upwind with one rudder.  Will take at least ten days to a fortnight.  1m high waves, so in comparison to what they had last week, relatively calm seas.  Has taken books out and has been listening to music, which he wasn't able to do before.   Eating, sleeping and chatting to friends. Air is still cold, but moving up towards Australian summer
 

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