Third place remains in the balance in this Vendée Globe. The only definite is that whoever takes the third step on the podium will be joined by Vincent Riou (PRB) who was awarded that equal place as redress.
It has been a painfully slow night for Sam Davies. Even late yesterday afternoon Roxy was making only one knot at times, stuck in glassy calms as she tried to make any kind of miles towards Les Sables d’Olonne. Afternoon became evening became night with no real increase in breeze until near dawn this morning then it has been a tough night to take for Davies, so close to home and not able to second guess what the weather cards will be dealt for Guillemot after she finishes.
The French skipper, with his net 50 knots of time allowance, has been slow but steady 4-6 knots while Roxy has been all but stopped. He has pulled back 67 miles since 1000hrs yesterday morning when he sounded defeated and disappointed, 269 miles behind Roxy.
This morning Davies looked to be easing into the gentle 8-10 knots of northerly breeze which she forecast yesterday and which should be enough to bring her and Roxy in to Les Sables d’Olonne late tonight or very early tomorrow morning. Davies may just be able to open more time again as Safran looks set to encounter the same very light ridge across he worst of the high and then headwinds, but in simple terms he still does look to be still in the running for third at the moment. The British skipper can only do what she can between now and the finish, and then it will depend on if Safran can finish within 50 hours.
Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) has caught to within 111 miles of Safran, but more significantly still retains a cushion of 110 miles over sixth placed Dee Caffari, GBR, (Aviva). Thompson has slowed back to less than ten knots this morning as he starts to feel the effects crossing the high, slack, disorganized winds of less than 10 knots, while Caffari on the yellow Aviva was still making three knots quicker than Thompson and had pulled back a matter of ten miles on him since yesterday. Bahrain Team Pindar had more inconsistent breezes during the night, up and down, while Aviva carried on at a regular 13-15 knots. Thompson is looking at light SE’ly breezes and seems set to have two bands of very light breeze to cross today, while Caffari is due to carry on in 15kts S’ly wind.
Aranud Boissières (Akena Vérandas) has now escaped his penance in his high pressure and is heading NE and making a steady 12 knots. He was complaining yesterday of how he could not remember any good, enjoyable sailing in the
The trade winds are running out for Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) and he now faces the capricious, light and shifty stuff which Boissières has been enduring for more than three days. He still has easterly breezes but they have been pegged back from 15 to closer to 10 knots. He seems set to try to squeeze slightly east and follow Arnaud who is 602 miles ahead.
Rich Wilson, USA, is 140 miles south of
