As Desjoyeaux said yesterday his lead in real terms is worth much more at the moment.

As they diverge away from the rumb line so Mich Desj’s computed advantage diminishes relative to the theorertical course but the key thing is now they are going at about the same speed now, Bilou making 14.5 knots to Foncia’s 14.8 knots.

Desjoyeaux is seeing the trade winds dropping a little now,  20 knots this morning and 15 knots this afternoon. But the sea state is big and bumpy. Foncia’s speed will slow progressively now as the trade winds ease for him, by Monday he’ll be cut back to 200 mile days until he is propelled west on the Atlantic low pressure systems.  

On Veolia Environnement, Jourdain has 25 knots on NE’ly trades, big seas with gusts up to 35 knots at times.  

If anyone had an easy time of the Doldrums so far it has been Brit Air’s Armel Le Cléac’h. He has never really stopped or slowed too much making a steady nine point something all the time and he is now 978 miles ahead of Marco Guillemot.

In fourth Guillemot is working the transition zone off the Brasilian coast, trying to use the thermal effects as best he can. It is working in terms of his margin over Sam Davies, although it is a bit of a high risk strategy. But what are his alternatives ?  Davies was languishing in light breezes for five days now.

Brian Thompson, third quickest this morning is in a good lane of breeze making 14.4 knots on the north side of the high pressure system and moving NNE, going well, he is now just 309 miles behind Sam and five knots quicker.

But, he expects to slow down in the next six or seven hours as he hits what he calls the ‘Rio Doldrums’.

Dee Caffari is a little slower but still going well 12 knots this morning and 12 overnight – remarked that her mainsail repair is not holding up so well and will have to repair the repair..

Rich Wilson now has 500 miles to go to Cape Horn in a strengthening NW’ly breeze and so Great American III will be there Monday.

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): Accelerating, but seas are tricky.  25-30 knots of wind and cross seas making it very uncomfortable.  Difficult to stand up. Keeping an eye on his repairs. Deck being washed and slamming into waves.   Days go by and he can’t remember really what he’s done.  Has been reading, but loudspeaker damaged so not much music.  Has been looking at weather ahead and otherwise out on deck watching what is around him.  Starry night, but cloudy days. Hasn’t really thought about finish.  Feels like the end of a long voyage and a long project over several years.

Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Ocean Vital) A change after a long period under the influence of a huge high.  Westerly wind got up to 35 knots yesterday evening and wet conditions for first time for a while.  Will need to get used to such conditions for rounding the Horn. Should reach the gate tomorrow evening or early on Monday.  Doesn’t yet know what the weather will be like at the Horn, as very unusual to see the high domination the Southern Ocean.  Staying with Norbert and friendly race.  Sometimes one heads north or south, but helps relieve the stress knowing that someone is close. Feels a bit long, when only doing 7 knots in these seas.

Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas): Wind has returned, which is a relief after being stuck and wondering how long it was going to take like this to get back to Les Sables and how much wider gap to those ahead would be. Upwind sailing, not the favourite for Akena Vérandas, but Arnaud likes these conditions. Since the Falklands spending more time at the helm, as warm, pleasant conditions outside.  Yesterday when wind was absent not a lot to do.  Still hopeful he can progress as there are the Doldrums and the Azores high to deal with.

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia): Some pleasant sunshine, but squalls during the night.  He almost hoisted more sail as wind dropped to 15 knots then 10 minutes after 26 knots of wind.  Sometimes sailing quickly and sometimes slowed right down.  Has just been woken up, so sounding tired. Wind starting to ease off 18 knots at the moment.  Will be going through a lot of sail changes. Likely to continue to ease off until Monday.  Will be gybing northwards on Monday morning to get some more wind to sail towards Cape Finisterre.  Boat being shaken around still and in the cockpit he needs to hold on, as difficult to stand up, particularly when the boat is doing 15 knots. Sheltered by his protective cover.  If carrying out work at the bow has a sufficient lead to change course slightly to avoid getting too wet. Not something he would have done a while ago. Might take some time to get around light airs in Azores high.  Physically, he hasn’t had any major problems.  Some pain in ribs a few days go, but OK now. Doesn’t know what caused that, but could have been a knock or maybe he pulled a muscle.  Hands are a bit rough and sore bottom.