There will be some re-compression at the Doldrums when Mich Desj slows first, but even with the most of a Transatlantic race still to complete, many would consider that Foncia’s lead is enough to allow the winner of the 2000-1 Vendée Globe to perhaps sail a little more conservatively.

Behind the leader, the fleet is spread out from the coast of Brazil to the Pacific Gates. The furthest west, Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Océan Vital) and Norbert Sedlacek, AUT,  (Nauticsport-Kapsch) seem to be sticking to their agreement to work together. One mile  apart in terms of DTF, they are clearly matching each other at the same pace, even if this cautious approach is not going to offer them quick speeds, their goal is to finish in Les Sables d’Olonne, their home port where their Open 60’s lie alongside each other. They have 200 miles to go to the West Pacific ice gate.

Eighty miles north of the Falklands, and about 50 miles behind Arnaud Boissières Dee Caffari (Aviva) is getting ready to patch her mainsail.  A tricky operation as she will have to take her sail down to fourth reef, spread out the damaged surface in her cockpit and stick patches from one of her headsails over the damaged areas. Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) is not short of jobs to do on board either and has issues with his wind generator and a burning smell from his engine – which he believes to be the clutch plates – to deal with in the gentler weather. Sailing under full mainsail and solent for the first time in weeks Sam Davies’ maintenance programme on Roxy has kept her busy, but her jobs have been mainly routine: replacing splices and keep her pink Open 60 in fine fettle. She is in a complex sequence of light winds in the big high pressure zone, but continues to work industriously to keep going quick. Proof, as ever that to complete a Vendée Globe,  you need to be a mechanic, sailmaker, as well as being an expert in composites and electronics.

And Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) is sailing at reduced speeds as he makes his final 430 miles towards Cape Horn for the first time. White reported yesterday that his mainsail headboard car had parted company with the sail and is stuck at the top spreaders. He will wait until the sea state improves and the winds drop before attempting to retrieve it, but meantime he is still making a regular eight to nine knots average.

In tenth Rich Wilson, USA, (Toe in the Water) had just 50 more miles to complete to get to the Esst Pacific gate but has been bounced around in rougher weather, and big cross seas – beam reaching in 6-7 metres of crossed seas. He reports he is very underslept but the breeze should ease and back to a more Westerly direction giving him some respite this afternoon.