The leaders’ pace has slackened predictably as they balance the desire to sail the shortest route past the system with the need to stay away from lighter winds towards its centre. This evening Michel Desjoyeaux, who saw his lead evaporate in the South Atlantic in 2001, is making less than 10 knots, but appears to be steadily negating any immediate threat from Jourdain. The leader’s work rate never seems to slacken, as he gybed again earlier today to make more north and ride a lane of better pressure after crossing the ridge.

For those in pursuit of Desjoyeaux there is the constant pressure of keeping emotions in check, working hard on routine and required maintenance as 61 days sea take their toll, and of simply maintaining the race rhythm. Armel Le Cléac’h sounded tired and admitted, despite being in a highly creditable third place, that it is becoming harder to keep pushing as hard, day in day out, especially considering the toll on boats, bodies and minds that this Vendee Globe has already taken.

Sam Davies, GBR, (Roxy) who is now up to fourth place admitted that she is re-energised for the final assault on the 590 remaining miles to Cape Horn, but that more and more she feels not only in tune, listening to her Open 60 Roxy, but that she has had time recently to also respond to the needs of her mind and body to rest and re-fuel. Two days ago she ate substantially, yesterday she slept – grabbing hours at a time while the conditions were stable, knowing that she is facing difficult conditions for her first solo rounding of Cape Horn.

Davies also quipped today that at least she knows she has enough golden syrup remaining for her sweeten her staple breakfast: porridge.

Her British compatriot Dee Caffari, (Aviva) said today that there have been many times recently when her emotions have bubbled up – hardly surprising given the recent and past events that have befallen her fellow competitors – and so safety and prudence remain her key priorities.

Steve White, roused again from his slumbers for today’s live radio calls, is simply pleased to have completed all his required maintenance – gooseneck,  and have his 10 year old Open 60 back making more than 10 knots having languished in his own private Southern Oceans doldrums for the last two days.

Vincent Riou: International Jury Agrees to the Principle of Redress

Following the damage to his rigging (broken port outrigger), which occurred during Jean Le Cam's rescue operation, Vincent Riou informed the Chairman of the International Jury, Bernard Bonneau, in writing that he was requesting redress. After a request from the Vendée Globe Race Directors, Riou changed course and as laid down in rule 1.1 of the Race Rules (in one sentence it says: «A boat or competitor shall give all possible help to any person or vessel»).

Riou considered that he could in no way be held responsible for the damage that occurred to his monohull, PRB during Le Cam's rescue. He added that «This damage requires a lot of work that cannot be carried out alone at sea.»

After PRB was completely dismasted  on 7th January 2009 after the temporary repair failed, Vincent confirmed to the Jury in writing that he was still asking for redress to be awarded. The skipper of PRB that these recent «events were directly linked to and indeed caused by the rescue operation» and noted that it was now definitively impossible for him to "continue the race back the finishing port of Les Sables d’Olonne."  In the near future it would prove impossible for Riou to find a replacement spar out there and none could be delivered in reasonable time.

Consequently, Riou therefore requested that his boat be reclassified as is regularly the case in international racing, when a boat is victim to something beyond its control.

In the name of the International Jury, Bernard Bonneau has indicated that this recent incident does not affect the jury's decision to agree to listen to this case and meanwhile has asked the race Directors to indicate that PRB and her skipper are RDG (« Redress Given »). In simple terms this means that redress is in theory given, but that the precise details have not yet been formulated. Until the decision of the jury is known, it will therefore be as such that PRB is ranked in the official race positions.

PRB, Riou and Le Cam still in Puerto Williams

Vincent Riou, whose 37^th birthday it is today, and Jean Le Cam are still in Puerto Williams. They spent the day yesterday with the Chilean customs officials sorting out the administrative details, which were complicated by the fact that Jean Le Cam did not have any papers on him. He is due to recover his passport later today, which will mean they will be able to leave the Chilean zone. Riou's goal is to have PRB towed to Ushuaia, some twenty miles along the coast in Argentina. It is unlikely that the tow can get underway today, but will probably take place this weekend or early next week depending on the weather conditions. Riou and his shore team are attempting to find a solution to transport the boat back from Ushuaia by cargo ship.

Dee Caffari, (Aviva) “I had a brilliant morning.  I have just rounded Gate 10 alongside Akena, and after almost 18,000 miles or something I can see him. We have not been more than 100 miles apart since the Equator and finally we are together, it is really cool.”

(This race and the attrition): It has definitely changed the way I sail, it has knocked my confidence, it has made me very cautious, and so I have been kind of sailing down a few gears, but it really is a case of get to the finish line, then worry about how you race another time.

Someone said I was a bit too emotional for offshore racing and during this race I have been very emotionally affected by everything that has happened, and it is shocking, it really does make me have to work quite hard to keep going.”

Steve White, (Toe in the Water): “I feel quite mixed. It’s incredible to be where I am position-wise (9^th) but it takes a bit of getting used to be here at the expense of so many other people who have gone out in various unfortunate ways. It’s incredible though, if I had the money and entries were open I’d be paying now to secure my slot for next time.

Armel le Cléac’h (Brit Air): “The seas are calm. A 15-knot NW'ly wind and we're sailing along quickly.  I'm trying to find the best route to Les Sables d’Olonne. To be honest, I can't do much more. The two frontrunners are quite some way ahead and are no longer in the same weather system.  For the moment, they are experiencing good downwind conditions on their way back up the Atlantic. My goal is to finish back in Les Sables with a boat in good condition. There's still a long way to go and it's not time to ease off.  For the moment, I'm coping.  I still have time to get back up there. Anything can still happen. I need to remain vigilant with Brit Air. Obviously there is wear in some places. But, there are things that cannot be repaired. Wear that is practically impossible to detect. We have to listen for the slightest noise and simply remain vigilant.  It would be a pity not to finish this great adventure, especially seeing we've come this far.”

Marc Guillemot (Safran): “The sun has just come up. I'm 1000 miles from the infamous rock, Cape Horn. Going by it is symbolic: you can turn left to go home, so it marks the end of the difficult conditions. I really enjoyed my second voyage in the Pacific. A bit of frustration nevertheless, as I wasn't able to get as much out of the boat as I would have liked. But the Pacific was fairly kind to me, especially in comparison to those ahead.  I think I should be rounding the Horn on Sunday night or for breakfast on Monday morning. It's quite hard sailing down the Pacific under reduced sail (the mainsail is blocked at third reef, editor).  I shall be stopping for repairs, either at the Horn, or in the Falklands, or somewhere else… I'm going to talk it through with the rest of the team.  I'll need to find a buoy, as I don't have any anchors left.”