Strong winds for the leaders, Roland Jourdain is still angled to the NW – heading towards the Brasilian coast, he has said he wants to be safe and stay on the same tack for a while. They are forecast to be having strong winds, up to 50 knots in the gusts they are making nine to ten knots. The wind is due to veer and that means Desjoyeaux could escape even more, cracking sheets and accelerating towards the Trade Winds, and home. If he maintained his same race average speed he would be between 15 and 16 days from home.


At 0730hrs GMT this morning Marc Guillemot went by Cape Horn. Guillemot was both pleased and saddened to close this chapter of his race – a very eventful but ultimately very rewarding experience in the Big South. He was quickest overnight and was not hanging around to enjoy the experience for too long.

Ahead of him Sam Davies has long since left her Cape Horn behind but is quickest in the fleet and should pass close to the Falklands Islands at about 1800hrs this evening GMT, she would be less than 20 miles off Port Stanley on current routing and she is making 14.3 knots this morning.

Brian Thompson is going well enough, also making 12-14 knots in boat and Brian conservation mode, 799 miles to the Horn so about two and a half days to get there.
The trio have some very stormy winds and big seas in prospect. Dee is 969 miles to the Horn, she is just ‘surviving’ at the moment in big winds and is just travelling SW crossing Arnaud’s wake about 37 miles behind Akenas Verandas. 

Norbert Sedlacek’s small NW’ly diverson was explained by the Austrian skipper on today’s radio vacation

Jonny Malbon spoke about his arrival in Auckland late yesterday and his thoughts on the past months racing with Artemis II, his present plans, and the future. The full audio file is in the medias section.

Here is a round-up of what the French speaking skippers said this morning:

Marc Guillemot, Safran: It's great to have rounded the Horn. Last night was pretty hairy with mountains of water that seemed to get higher and higher as I approached the continental shelf. I had to go quickly to avoid getting caught by the waves.  It was very stressful, so I didn't get much rest. As soon as the Horn was behind me, the wind dropped off and since hen I've been sailing more slowly in a swell that is getting longer.  It's a bit strange to have left the huge wilderness behind and am starting to see life. You suddenly change worlds.   just now, I saw a steamer. 
I liked the Southern Ocean.  I was at one with my boat in the Indian, even if it wasn't always easy, although I was handicapped in the Pacific.  It was a bit frustrating not to be able to get the most out of my boat. The reward after 35 days in the Forties with all the tension and excitement and incidents in the Southern Seas.  I had some great moments, but it is a region where the stress is permanent with the growlers.  So the Horn is a moment of relief and maybe time for some rest.  Physical and mental rest.

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement):  Remaining cautious as resin drying and there was a lot of wind in the night. Is now checking to see if everything is fine for upwind sailing.  Seas are quite rough, so not ideal for testing the repairs as there is till 30 knots of wind.  Not itching as much from carbon dust.  Tried to clean out inside of the boat yesterday. Doing such work inside the boat is not much fun.  Began his career working with composites so able to carry out repairs.  Hasn't thought about going on the attack.  Not the time, as wants to check the boat first and is not feeling very enthusiastic about his race.  We can expect more incidents in the race in the weeks ahead.  Sea is now warm, but still not dry as the deck is wet all the time.

Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas): Yesterday a front went over but now it has calmed quickly. Was expecting more wind. ETA- The Horn in 3 days. Under staysail and one reef in the main.  Being pushed a long by a squall.  The Pacific will continue after the Horn. Hopes it will be during the day so he can take pictures.