It looks like the worst of the weather is over: behind the cold front, which battered the fleet, the wind veered NW'ly and eased off. The area of low pressure (977 hPa) is moving eastwards and filling, while the Azores high stretches across towards Portugal.

In the Bay of Biscay, the wind will be westerly (15-20 knots), then veer NW'ly. For the leaders, the 15-knot NW'ly wind will gust to 25 knots off Cape Finisterre before gradually veering northerly (15-25 knots) off Porto this afternoon (Tuesday).

The DCNS press office has informed the race directors that Marc Thiercelin's monohull was dismasted at 7h30 this morning at 44°15 North and 8°43 West. The competitor stressed that the damage was extensive and it would be impossible to set out again. He is unable to say for the moment which port he will be heading for.

Mike Golding reported to his team from ECOVER 3 last night that he had seen 53 knots of wind.

Following the damage caused since the start of the race, a special media conference will take place this morning at 11 at Vendée Globe HQ.  This will be in the presence of Philippe de Villiers, Denis Horeau and Alain Gautier and will be broadcast live on the Vendée Globe website.  It will be followed by the live link-up with the skippers at 11h45.

Message received from Jean Baptiste Dejeanty this morning. "All is well on board. At  9H00 this morning 100 miles from Les Sables d'Olonne.  17-knot westerly wind.
ETA this evening (11th Nov)   
Support team ready to get to work on the deck.  Damage: cracks in the deck, port and starboard of the coach roof.
No idea yet of the time required to repair.
Will do our utmost to restart the race."

1h36 : «Everything is fine on board. Will write more when I'm able. xxxx » Dee Caffari (Aviva)

1h39 : «Lots of little repair jobs to do . Tomorrow will be better. I'm sad about Yaya (Yannick Bestaven) and Kito (de Pavant). I'm trying to look after my « veranda » in these seas. The change in wind direction was extremely sudden: the boat came around all by herself, as it was so quick. Afterwards, there was a quick clean-up operation below to get everything stowed… » Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas)

4h58 : «We're taking advantage of the calmer conditions to eat and sleep a little. Have seen several cargo ships off Cape Finisterre.» Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air)