The speed difference between Michel Desjoyeaux and Roland Jourdain is 3.6 knots this evening and so that margin is, as expected, still growing. Now 387 miles, it is likely to be close to 400 miles in the morning.
And so as the leaders pass north of Salvador de Bahia, with a transatlantic still to go, there is an assumption that the race is all but over. But one thing this race has proven is that anything can happen and, on current averages, the race for the Vendee Globe should be over within about 15 days from now.
Bilou is now the best part of 500 miles ahead of Armel Le Cleac'h. And with Vincent Riou already guaranteed a share of the third step on the podium and equal prize-money, then perhaps the podium places are set?
Brian Thompson has covered the second greatest distance after Mich Desj between the rankings and has been relishing the fast reaching conditions, althrough his speed has slowed over the last hour.
