Vendée Globe

Eight weeks at sea today, and the skippers are settled into their routines, although many are looking forward to a change in their surroundings as they anticipate the return to the Atlantic.

Michel Desjoyeaux is keeping the pressure on at the front of the fleet with 17-knot boatspeeds as he approaches Cape Horn, news from him and other French skippers in today’s radio broadcasts:

1st - Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia): 240 miles from the Horn in 35-knot winds. Slept well. Wind strengthened this morning. Last time he rounded the Horn was eight years ago. Strong winds, but not violent conditions forecast. His secret weapon – the Spectra staysail – put in place at St. Helena. Not worried about losing it as he always had a spare staysail anyway. This meant that he didn't have to worry and fewer sail changes. The system worked 8 years ago and apparently works this time too. Has has a choice of bunk, pouffe and chair for sleeping, in the south the pouffe was perfect. Cape Horn signifies a return to variable winds. Weeks with winds above 20 knots get a bit tiring after a while. ETA at Cape Horn 01.30 GMT so may be starting to get dark

2nd - Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): Close to coast of Chile, but conditions not allowing sightseeing. Staying some way off as seas very bad along coast. Not much fun for a final day in the Pacific. Seas mean he is slamming around getting stopped by waves. His poor baby is being punished! Will be pleased to reach the Horn to get away from these conditions. Boat and sailor in fine shape, so ready to continue battle. Thinks Michel has been doing well in past day _ for 20 days now Mich has been inflicting this on him! Difficulty is always knowing where to place the cursor. Vincent has been more cautious and had some problems, while Roland pushed a bit harder.

5th - Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air): All is well on Brit Air. Nice to see the way out coming up. Will be his first time rounding Cape Horn. Conditions should be reasonable. Getting some rest before reaching the Horn and the Atlantic, where there will be more work to do with tactics and manoeuvres. He will remember the power of the Southern Oceans and the way they can change very quickly. Has been down there for a month and saw a range of conditions. Didn't see any ice, but could not have been far away. Everything always very wet and that can be a problem for the electronics and engine. You get used to the cold, but it's always easier to carry out manoeuvres in warmer conditions. Has learnt things, which mean that he will be even better next time.
 
10th - Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas): Very unstable conditions, so a lot of manoeuvres as wind variable. Very dark night, so you have to be careful out on deck. Smells of diesel aboard his boat. Is happy to be sailing along nicely and doesn't feel jealous about Mich Desj being at the Horn already. Everyone determines his own pace. Hopes to have a new generation boat next time, but wants time to get to know it, as you can see problems others have had with boats they don't know well enough. Has a rhythm based around Sundays: washes and cleans and eats better on Sundays.
 

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