Jourdain was 342 miles behind last night but he has profited as they cross a ridge of high pressure. According to Meteo France, the situation will be a little more straightforward for Mich Desj, with the tradewinds about 300 miles ahead.

Armel Le Cleac’h has been making miles too. He has been a little slower this morning going has been through one small depression and another to come he is still 280 miles ahead of Sam, and is 420 miles off the Uruguay coast.

Sam is 150 miles NE of the the Falklands now, she was buzzed by fighter plane.

The situation is  very tough for the three skippers heading towards Cape Horn. They have had gusts to 65 knots and huge seas. Dee Caffari has confirmed this morning that Aviva’s stricken mainsail has ‘not made it’. She said that she can see bits of material flapping in the gale, and it will be some hours before she can get on deck to make any kind of assessment.  

Steve White is going well on Toe in the Water, pushing hard, and he has just passed the final ice-gate of the course and has set his course towards Cape Horn. to the last gate.

 Here is a round up of what the French speaking skippers said on the radio vacations this morning live to the PC Course in Paris:

Sam Davies (Roxy):  Upwind sailing so heeled over.  Lot of stacking to do.  Well and truly back in the Atlantic.  When jet flew past yesterday, she thought first of all it was a problem with daggerboard, which has been picking up seaweed.  Expecting stronger winds.  Changed tack to starboard tack as wind has just shifted. Pleased to see Riou in third place. Sam wants to have a new boat,  for the moment a dream for 2012.

Mich Desj (Foncia): I feel sympathy for Bilou having to carry out work in these conditions as it is not easy.  We're not in the 350-400 miles a day we were in before.  We're having to sail upwind and deal with the high-pressure area.

Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec2);  A long voyage that was not very easy.  Pleased to be back on dry land.  A pilot problem a couple days ago caused the boat to broach.  Repairs will be done in France.  Reflecting on how to do that exactly and as shore team in French, the boat will leave NZ on a cargo vessel maybe even with BT next week. Welcomed to NZ by Bruno Troublé. Customs were very strict and carried out a search of boat.  Vacuum packed food bags with dried ham in were a problem.

Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Océan Vital): Still heading into light winds, so having to tack to the north and then south.  Boat has been slamming into waves with wind below 10 knots and it is very tiring.  Bit more winds 11-12 knots now.  Mast and bulkheads have been vibrating in this boat-breaking sea state. Impossible to get any rest, permanent stress.  Squalls arriving now with variable winds. Has never had three days upwind in the Southern Seas before.  High to the south and low to the north - unbelievable.  Several tropical storms further north.  Has six weeks of supplies left, so rationing food.  Solar panels have been working in the high and wind generator enough for five minutes of communication a day.

Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air): Has been able to get some rest after a lot of manoeuvres.  As he was south of low-pressure area had more favourable conditions yesterday than two at the front.  Now in quieter conditions, but hoping for steadier conditions in a few hours. Fairly isolated as 300 miles to Bilou and Sam quite some way behind, but trying to remain competitive, as in a Figaro Race with a lot of work. Brit Air still able to give 100%.  Should reach the Equator on one long tack.  Still possible to catch up, as after the Equator, there are the Doldrums too.  Maybe he'll be sharing third place with Vincent Riou