Vendée Globe

Michel Desjoyeaux is approaching the finish less than 20 miles away now and making over 10 knots and so should break the line around 1600-1630 hrs local time (1500hrs to 1530 GMT).

He had a tricky final evening at sea – light wind ridge of high pressure last night in the late evening, quicker this morning and now facing a backing SE’ly wind which is getting stronger as the day goes on, maybe up to 25 knots NE’ly at the finish, cold and quite unpleasant, and having to tack this afternoon.

Meantime Roland Jourdain’s Veolia Environnement is being influenced by a low to the north and is getting headwinds, heading NE’ly He still had 130-140 miles to go to reach the Azores. As a contingency he has two members of his support team flown out to the Sao Miguel, just in case. He should reach Azores tomorrow morning sometime.

Then he will assess and decide what his options are. There is another low arriving, and what he needs is a 4-5 days clear weather window. At the moment he has been getting 6-8 metres seas and 40 knots winds, some of the worst seas he has seen this race, but it will ease for him today…

Armel Le Cléac’h is still in the high pressure system but making 13 knots and is now 336 miles behind Jourdain who was effectively just making 4.2 this morning

Brit Air’s ETA has slipped a couple of days since he was slowed, trying to cut the corner.

Safran, Roxy and Bahrain Team Pindar are the new trio. Thompson is now just 260 odd miles behind Safran Marc Guillemot has been gaining steadily on Sam Davies to be just 79 miles. It looks like they will have to go the long way around Azores high pressure.

Dee Caffari’s Doldrums have presented her with some of the most frustrating hours of her race.

She has lost over 150 miles to Thompson and this morning is now 266 miles behind Bahrain Team Pindar.

Rich Wilson is close to the middle of the low pressure system and has 40-45 knots but downwind and making 11-13 knots this morning, but has slowed now that he has just his storm jib up to rein in the Great American III.

Raphael Dinelli has been caught by a front as has 12th placed Norbert Sedlacek, 120 miles behind him. But now they are in high pressure. Dinelli should get to Cape Horn on Monday afternoon.

Here is our summary of what was said in today's radio vacations in French:

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia): A typical Sunday, but he missed the Church service. Yesterday afternoon, not much to do with boat, so shaved and gave himself a haircut and took his time doing nothing. The night was a bit tricky until the wind arrived 15-20 knots. Several cargo vessels he needed to keep an eye on. Hasn’t done anything this morning. Sailing upwind and not slamming too much. Realises he must be close to the coast as various birds around. Will need to change tack, but still planning to arrive 15h30-16h00 GMT. Hasn’t thought about questions that are going to be asked or how he will reply. Feels relaxed. Will get a bit of rest, but will have to move stack when he changes tack. 40 miles from the finish, so feels like he’s home. Back to civilisation – helicopter flew over, fishing boats… Has already placed his order for meal tonight. Looking forward to fresh food rather than dried, canned food.Baguette, real potato, rather than mash

Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas): Saw a large sea mammal 50 metres away. May have woken him up. Makes you realise how things can suddenly change if you hit one. Sent a message to congratulate Mich and will be celebrating on Akena too. Is remaining cautious about the prospects for the Doldrums. Time has slipped by very quickly apart from the calm in the South Atlantic, where it tended to drag.

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): Heavy seas with 7m swell with breakers. Last night was not easy. Lowered sails. As wind eased off hoisted “half a mainsail”. Lucky he didn’t capsize when he lost keel. Lucky again that he has enough ballast to stabilise the boat. Trying to head northwards to stay on course. Tomorrow SW wind forecast before NW gales. Still hoping to get to Sao Miguel where two members of his team will be waiting in case…. Decision in next 24 hours. Has been in discussions with designers and shore team. Wants to complete the voyage, but as a good sailor knows that safety comes first

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