«The wind is unstable going from 13 to 21 knots. I'm sailing downwind and am going to take advantage of that to grab something to eat for the first time since the start. I haven't slept much, as I had my mind on the boat making sure nothing got broken. I really took off gliding through the air. Something, maybe an animal hit the daggerboard and the rudder popped up. The boat went flying with the sails over on the wrong side. I recovered from the incident, but it's like the Bronx inside! It's time I got some rest. I need to look after myself… Now things are calming down a bit and the seas are gradually easing. So now we're sailing downwind to the Doldrums, but are still under the influence of the low. Tomorrow when the wind veers, I'll be able to gybe and get into the right place to pass the islands like Madeira. Must go. I've work to do. The boat is hard work, because the wind has come around, but at least I still have my mast ... »

Marc Thiercelin indicated during today's radio link-up with Race HQ that he was heading for La Coruña in north-west Spain. His press office has confirmed that DCNS is motoring at around three knots and is due to reach the Spanish port tomorrow morning (Wednesday).

An update from Alex Thomson's team this afternoon says Hugo Boss is making about 9.5 knots towards Les Sables d'Olonne and believe he should arrive back there in the early morning of  Wednesday 12th November.

" On inspection at daylight the crack is located between the aft keelbox and bulkhead. Only a small amount of water is being taken onboard, water is squirting through the crack as the boat flexes and is completely manageable. Alex is currently bailing out every three hours. HUGO BOSS is currently sailing downwind back to Les Sables d’Olonne under main and headsail only.

They are expected to arrive in Les Sables d’Olonne early morning on Wednesday the 12^th November. 

At 1330 GMT HUGO BOSS was 122 miles off  Les Sables d’Olonne, making about 9.5 knots."

«I felt the change in wind direction coming: I started to prepare my change of tack by stacking the sails in the fore hold and had more or less moved everything across to the leeward side. I was just about to fasten everything in place, before carrying out my manoeuvre, when I felt the boat swing around and go over. I went flying in the sail locker and found myself up against the hull with all the sails on top of me…It all happened in a few seconds. I had to struggle to get free of all the sails and rushed outside to complete the change of tack, which had begun without me: the boat was on her side!  Then, it was back to work to get everything below tidied up again… »

Sam Davies sends the following message:“Hello everyone, firstly, I am really sad for Alex, Yannick, Kito, and the other skippers who suffered damage yesterday. Please send them my best wishes....

It was pretty rough out there yesterday - I saw gusts of 55knots of wind, and the waves were ENORMOUS. I had set up my strong wind configuration in plenty of time, and Roxy hung in there under pilot as I braced myself at the chart table! It was full-on!

The front went through early in the evening, with nicely timed wind shift, that meant I was sailing directly into the path of a big ship. It was pretty close, as I could easily see the ship and there was close to zero visibility, so I had to crash tack to avoid it. Luckily, due to the wind shift, the tack put me on a perfect course. However, because of the urgency of the manoeuvre, I had had no time to do ballast or stacking. So, as a consequence, I spent my night stacking to windward, in a bucking bronco. As you can imagine it was pretty much impossible!

So, right now, things are drying out! There is a nice 15 knots of wind and we are just about to round Cap Finisterre, where I should be able to put the gennaker up. I am totally shattered. It has been a big start to this Vendee Globe. I am desperately in need of some sleep and rest, to try to get rid of the cold I left with on Sunday. I also need to have some time to clean up the oil that is sliding around the aft compartment. I reckon I am not the only skipper with these needs."

Shortly after 15h yesterday (Monday 10th November), while he was sailing 250 miles from Les Sables d’Olonne in very heavy seas, Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty heard a loud snapping sound, as his boat slammed down between two waves. He soon discovered that a small crack had opened up on the deck of Maisonneuve and therefore decided to turn back to Les Sables d’Olonne for repairs. This afternoon, the solo sailor is downwind and having to tack his way back, prolonging his route. he should be in sight of Port Olona late today, but will have to wait patiently for a few hours tonight before entering the harbour, because of the tide. Ashore, everything is ready to deal with the boat. Throughout the afternoon yesterday, Soizic Dubois, Laurent Massot and Ronan Cointo prepared everything to carry out the repairs, which are expected to take between 48 and 72 hours. «Only once a detailed inspection has been carried out in the harbour can we be more precise. Today, we know that a crack can be seen by the coach roof, going down towards the hull and based on what Jean-Baptiste has explained and the estimates from the support team, we are led to believe that the main structure of the boat has not been affected.»