Vendée Globe

It is another relatively easy 100 miles gain for Michel Desjoyeaux who is now 730 miles ahead with 1344 miles to sail to the finish, so he has a lead of more than half of the distance that he still has to sail to make the finish is Les Sables D’Olonne.

 And Foncia is eight knots quicker Veolia Environnement this morning.

Desjoyeaux is in SW’ly winds, increasing 25-30 knots and but he needs to push on hard to get to the Bay of Biscay as soon as possible.

If he does not make it then he faces NE’ly winds which will slow him Saturday and Sunday. Just now his SW’ly wind is veering NW’ly and he may see gusts to 40-45 knots.

Roland Jourdain is slowed by the Azores High pressure system. In essence it has elongated west to east and is dissipating, but that means he has had a wall to cross. This morning the Veolia Environnement skipper is doing better, escaping now at 6.6 knots. But while he sounded good humoured and resigned this morning, his challenges are twofold. One, a new Azores high developing ahead of him, a couple of days ahead – where Foncia is now, which will slow him, and then Armel Le Cléac’h on Brit Air who is  just 324 miles behind, and of course has his 11 hours of redress as a trump card if required.

Sam Davies (Roxy) and Marc Guillemot (Safran) are into the Doldrums which are a little further north than then were for the leaders. Sam, 26 miles ahead on the 1000hrs standings, had first gusts and squalls yesterday afternoon but they are predicted to have a fairly straightforward passage through.

As will Brian Thompson and Dee Caffari. Brian has been quick and is still making 13.3 knots this morning, second quickest in the fleet. Bahrain Team Pindar is 174 miles ahead of Aviva, and now 289 miles behind Safran.

Steve White seems to be getting dealt just two weather cards at the moment: nothing or upwind. He is emerging now from 24 hours of little or no winds, but is getting into headwinds again, N’lies and NE’lies. Rich faces the same binary weather menu

Here is the short summary of what the French speaking skippers said today:

Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas):  Another sleepless night spent dodging oil rigs and Brazilian fishermen.  Strong squalls meaning variable winds.  Had a discussion with an angry fisherman who was screaming on the radio.  That means he hasn’t slept for two nights and has seen others going faster, so finding this stretch hard. Feels like the Doldrums down there, as light airs and heavy squalls.  Is running fairly low on fuel, so has been rationing fuel.  Has repaired wind generator.  Thinks he may well finish without power for generator.  40 litres of fuel left and 25 days of food left.

Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Ocean Vital): Has been trying to sail faster, but had to ease off yesterday evening in heavy, crossed seas.  Winds variable from 25-40 knots. Likely to carry out a pit stop at Falklands.  Thinks he will be at the Horn in five days, but the situation is complicated by threat of icebergs, so gybed yesterday.

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia): Not at all like yesterday.  30 knots of wind.  Wind strengthened during the night, so he changed sail to be able to be more relaxed to sleep and it is now steady.  Sea slightly rougher, but sun is out.  Sea temperature 17.5°.  Not surprised to see Roland Jourdain slowed down as caught by the high.  50% of the distance remaining separates him from Roland so that is quite comfortable.

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement):  Not easy!  Better than Doldrums in other direction.  Wonderful skies, but no wind.  Light westerly wind, allowing to make slow headway.  Mich must have stolen the keys to the weather systems.  He opens the gate and gets through and locks it behind him each time.  In the Atlantic there has been a series of difficulties.   Don’t blame me if there’s no suspense.  It’s Mich’s fault!

Had to work hard to sail a few metres in the night, but really not a lot to do, so got some sleep. There was a beautiful sunset and incredibly starry night like you get in the desert or in the middle of the ocean.  Saw flashing jellyfish with bright colours just under the water. Enjoying the sights.

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