Vendée Globe

Arnaud Boissières had less than 70 miles to sail to the finish this afternoon and was still making nearly seven knots, keeping him on target to arrive for a triumphant return up the channel in Akena Véranda’s hope port of Les Sables d’Olonne on Sunday afternoon.

He told today’s radio session that he was already enjoying signs and memories of home, after having spoken with some Les Sables fishermen who congratulated him on his race:

"I'm enjoying myself out here and having a nice time.  Yesterday evening some dolphins came alongside and this morning an hour and a half ago, some fishermen from Les Sables congratulated me on the VHF.  I have a lot of respect for them, and so I really appreciated that. I hope to see them again soon in Les Sables.”

“ Already yesterday, there were a lot of cargo vessels around. I've come a long way in my Veranda and have so many memories. I just felt so good in my boat and I didn't have any major problems.”

“  I will remember particularly Cape Horn and the Southern Ocean...There have been so many things.  Finishing seventh is just incredible.  The boat came sixth with Thomas Coville, fifth with "Jojo" (Sébastien Josse).  As for my race, I owe it to my boat, my team, and all the experts, who were ready at all times of day  and the people at Akena, who gave me so much support.  It feels like there were 150 people aboard the boat!”

“ I should finish tomorrow after coffee and you'll have time for a couple of brandies...  The sun is out, the seas are not very choppy and there's just 12 knots of wind, and even that is easing off.  This morning the dolphins were back.  It just makes it feel so good to be out here and so I'm taking advantage of every little moment.  It's just great!"

Steve White on Toe in the Water has 700 miles to the finish and seems to have to chosen to try and route to the east on an inshore course which are present is sending him back on a course south of Cape Finisterre where there is likely to be only light breezes and considerable traffic. He faces a long slow beat and consequently his ETA has now slipped to Wednesday or possibly Thursday. But he is still making the best part of ten knots this afternoon.

Rich Wilson, USA, (Great American III) has two options at the moment: to try and wriggle up the narrow band of contrary winds on the edge of the high pressure system to his east, which will save him miles but will require him to expend more energy, or to take the long way round. This routing sees him first having to breach a high pressure ridge which would see him slowed in light winds, which may in fact give him some time to re-group before a final push to France, but this is a longer routing.

Raphael Dinelli’s (Fondation Océan Vital) fortunes have improved this afternoon as he starts to feel the more solid NE’ly trades, signaling he is leaving the Doldrums behind and indeed his speeds have picked up nicely in recent hours. And while he has been in the Doldrums it has been a chance for Norbert Sedlacek to gain 50 or so miles and so the Austrian is now 430 miles behind on Nauticsport-Kapsch. Sedlacek was contemplating his mast climb this afternoon to try and replace his two foresail halyards.

Norbert Sedlacek, Nauticsport-Kapsch: “ I had a lot of work to do during the night. There was a little rain and the wind shifted a few times. Now it's settled to become an ENE'ly, but it is not that strong.  There is 30% cloud cover.  So I'm in a good mood now.  The air and sea temperature are the same.  28°C.  It's just right for a nice shower.”

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