At 336 miles ahead, his gain will continue for four days of steady sailing in the trades then there is the threat of a high pressure zone off the Canaries for him.

Roland Jourdain is in the Doldrums now, making just three knots and has 110 miles to go to the Equator. In third Armel Le Cleac’h, abeam of Salvador, making 10 knots and Guillemot is too.

Safran is now just 800 miles behind Brit Air and so with his 82 hours is very much in contention for third place

Sam Davies had picked up was riding towards the edge of a stormy low and going well but has ground to a halt again. In fifth she is 80 miles behind Guillemot now, who has to take some east, he is off Rio, while Sam is 195 miles to his east.

The Trio have separated more. Brian Thompson hit the stops first and is making just five knots and while Dee Caffari came back to him at more than 10 knots she is now just 26 miles behind and has also done well against Arnaud who is 123 miles behind and has worked nearly 200 miles to the west, heading inshore.

Steve White is 20 miles to the SE of the SE tip of the the final Ice Gate.

Today’s summary of what the French speaking skippers said:

Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air):  Passing Salvador da Bahia in steady winds, sailing at 11 knots, which is better than past few days. Expecting to pick up stronger trade winds until Doldrums. Doldrums look bad.  A long way south, but moving about with lots of squalls.  Keeping an eye on it as it will be time to choose his crossing point in the next few hours.  Nice to be back in familiar waters as I know the weather systems more.  Canaries, Cape Verde and islands he knows better.  Marc has had excellent conditions to get back up the South Atlantic, while he has had lighter upwind conditions.  We’ll see, but he may have these conditions in a few days too. Nothing is decided and there’s still some way to go.  He’s going to work hard trying to find the slightest puff of air.  Remains as determined as ever.  Hoping the jackal will be fast in the North Atlantic.

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement):  Little bit tired after the night.  Moving…stopping.  A real Doldrums atmosphere.  Not exactly a joyful morning.  Winds not far off given the sea state.  Fears that the Doldrums will move back across the Equator with him. Very tiring to move the keel by hand.  Is going to be in a bad mood this afternoon he reckons.  It began with light winds, but since then has had squalls.  Completely unpredictable movements of clouds and winds.  Hadn’t had many manoeuvres to a few days and yesterday started to feel pains, but thinks he hadn’t been drinking enough in the hot weather. Attracted crickets at Cape Verde and now gannets or similar birds in the Atlantic, but doesn’t seem able to attract Mich Desj.

Marc Guillemot (Safran): All is well on Safran.  The different wind systems meant he adopted this route to the west and it has paid off.  Now he has to continue, but it looks more difficult ahead.  I’ve been watching Armel for a few days.  I warned you a few days ago “Once Sam is out of the way, I’m going for Armel.”  He has a good lead, but it is motivating to fix myself a goal and keep going.  There are the Doldrums, the Azores high.  Even if I like Armel, I’m not going to think twice about grabbing third place from him. Moving out of the dark thundery area and clouds are lighter, so this afternoon is expecting northerlies as he heads towards NE.  My race has been very different from the race I prepared.  At the same time, it has been an enriching experience.  The motivation is still there and that’s why fixing goals is important.  A lot of that is down to the quality of the boat.  Therefore, he remains optimistic and determined.  In a hurry to reach Les Sables, but aware still a lot of work to do.  Always room for regrets.  Would have been nice to be up there with Mich, but at the same time has had so many experiences so no real regrets, even if it would have been nicer to sail more quickly at certain points.