The quicker route is to the north, getting the big Atlantic lows first and more wind, but the Foncia skipper said this morning that he is taking the low road,  With a lead of 544 miles lead this morning, equivalent to 33% of the 1650 miles to go, then he is staying as safe as possible.

Roland Jourdain still has no chance but to follow at the moment. He slowed a little now he starts to cross the corner of the High. Foncia will be accelerating today, Veolia Environnement slowing down

In third Armel le Cléac’h is in the trades still with less wind than was afforded to the first two but the same big, bouncy seas.

Now in fourth Sam Davies is enjoying the conditions, racing against what she says is her favourite boat in the fleet, Safran, after her own Roxy. Davies has been making 14.4 knots this morning to his Safran’s 9.9 knots, and she was quickest between the position reports. She made 86.6 miles and averaged 14.3 knots and is now 47 miles ahead, gaining 26 miles this morning.

It is going to be an interesting race for fourth. He has a net two days on Sam in time allowance, he has double reefed main, he has a 2007 launch boat, she has an eight years old double winner. And in the north Atlantic two reefs will be the sailplan of choice for Sam in the stronger trades and, who knows in the final stages from the Azores High north?  Certainly this will be an engaging battle between two of the characters who have contributed so much to, and taken so much from this sixth edition of the race.

Davies has just been awarded Offshore Sailor of the Month by Seahorse Magazine, attracting such comments as:   

'Awesome effort and an A+ on how you're telling the story; this is the way to bring people into the sport. You have a huge fan-base in the USA with many kids who don't even sail' - Cam Lewis.

'Couscous power!' - Nico Lopez;

'Non-stop girlie-girl!' - Karen Marg;

.

Brian Thompson and Dee Caffari are into light trades too now and they should have a relatively easy passage up to the Doldrums now. Unfortunately in his western position, closer to the coast Arnaud Boissières is catching a squally, stormy depression.

Behind him the situation is the exact opposite for Steve White. He is stuck in the middle of his own private high pressure system. Toe in the Water is making 0.2 of a knot and done 8 miles in four hours…not quick and not fun.

Rich Wilson has a race of his own after Cape Horn, against the weather. The quicker he can get north the easier it will be for him to avoid the worst of a depression tracking W-E.  If he can keep his speed up he will have 30-40 knots if he slows, he will catchgusts to 60.

For Raphael Dinelli and Norbert Sedlacek now racing towards Cape Horn, they have nd, 35-45 knots gusting to 55, and it is the Austrian skipper’s 47^th birthday.

And here is the summary of what the French speaking skippers had to say at the Radio Vacations today, the first from Les Sables d'Olonne where the race village opens again Friday.

Marc Guillemot (Safran): I lost a lot of ground to Roxy largely due to my mainsail track problem and then the runner problem two nights ago.  One runner is on the starboard, the other is broken, which should get him to Azores.  Team working on problem and reckon in theory he can sail without one runner.  But has the possibility of changing its position when he changes tack off the Azores.   Will not be changing his way of sailing, as intermediate runner not vital in keeping up the mast, but will not be putting too much pressure on it .  Yesterday was exhausted and frustrated as problem not the result of his way of sailing or a mistake.

Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air):  Advancing reasonably well, in spite of choppy seas. Question remains about how to get around the high.  Weather charts not clear, so hesitating. Once past the high, should be sailing downwind, which he is looking forward to.  Michel got through more easily, but for Bilou a bit more complicated and even more so for Armel.  Has a good lead over those behind.  Time to make use of his weather knowledge and work on the charts.

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): Holiday time.  Flat calm seas and fine weather. Wind is still not steady, varying by 20°, but 15-20 knots in force, so ideal.  Hopes he is far enough away from the high to avoid getting stuck.  Moods can vary dramatically in these variable conditions.  Short telephone call can be misleading to those listening. Has plenty of food.  Enough desserts for three weeks.

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia): Regular progress at 15 knots downwind. Changes from uncomfortable upwind sailing of past few days.  Will be avoiding worst of storm further north and will move south if winds get too strong.

ETA still uncertain Sat morning –Sun afternoon. One and a half days of winds 13-15 knots, then winds up to 35 knots, so should sail faster, although avoiding rough seas.  Wants to get home now.  Missing family and wants to eat a nice meal and have a drink, because he’s French and appreciates gastronomy. In nice weather enjoying himself by being at the helm