"I have been really struggling with finding the right rhythm and pace for Aviva over the last couple of days. Too much sail I kept wiping out on my ear or only able to hand steer or I reduce sail and wallow in the huge waves that have been surfing us along. It has been strange, a huge sea state that blasts you forward at 20 knots or allows you to sink the depths of the craters the waves create. Trying different combinations has been tricky also as the wind speed is gusting as high as 27 knots or settling at just 15 knots.
I am not complaining just looking at awe of the speed the others are getting with their boats. I have promised Aviva that we will get there and she can go and play with everyone again, until then we shall concentrate on getting past the Canaries and at least staying in touch with the leading pack. I am still pleased to even be on the same chart area as them without having to pan out too much still."
Dee Caffari on Aviva

 

"Hi everyone,
Calm night under spinnaker still.  Very variable wind.  Have been at the helm a lot.  Had a good sleep. Peaceful, but not very fast.  The wind is really calm here for the moment.
Have a good weekend
Mich"
 

"Fine night, choppy to begin with, but steady trade wind with a moon lighting the way. Broad reaching with automatic pilot and big gennaker.  I start to snooze, keeping one eye on the dials, as frequently surfing at 20-22 knots, and heeling over occasionally.  All of a sudden the pilot alarm went off.  I rushed outside and saw we were broaching.  I leapt to the helm without my foul weather gear on, with tons of water crashing down.  We were under gennaker (300 m2), staysail and mainsail and heeled over at 50°. I turned the alarm off and bore away and to my surprise, Temenos righted herself.  We were still sailing quickly and the leeward rudder stayed in the water.  Got the boat back on track and put the pilot back on and it seemed to work....Hurried back inside to start up the engine to charge the batteries, as sometimes the problem can be electrical (I'm a bit wary after the problem at the start).  I stayed up for a couple of hours and all seems well.  Waiting to see whether pushing the boat so hard has paid off and whether I've narrowed the gap." 

Message from Dominique Wavre (Temenos)


 

«Hi, Who's stolen my washing up liquid? I did a spot of advertising for the verandas in the  Canaries; I didn't hang around, but I'm sure the message was understood. In any case, very busy on board and very little sleep… »
Arnaud Boissières aboard Akena Vérandas

 

"Hi, I'm just off Cape Finisterre, the tip of Spain. All is well on board and I'm under spinnaker and full mainsail, taking advantage of the strengthening of the wind at Cape Finisterre.  You can't say I've been spoilt since returning to the race. Contrary to four days before, there was hardly any wind in the Bay of Biscay.  But that's behind me now. Have a good day."
Bernard Stamm on board Cheminées Poujoulat

 

The skipper of Maisonneuve, who returned to Les Sables d’Olonne on the night of 11th November after cracks opened up in the deck of his boat, told us in today's radio session that he would decide tomorrow morning, whether he would setting off again or not. Here is  what he said:
«The repairs are 80% complete. According to the inspection, there is in fact nothing more than what we could see on the surface (no structural problem - editor). We still have some work to do.  As far as getting back in the race is concerned, were giving ourselves until tomorrow lunchtime (Saturday) before taking a decision. It's great to start out again for the team for posterity on the one hand, but at the same time, we need to be rational to ensure that in all the excitement, we don't set off again only to fail again after ten days at sea. We're going to have to find the motivation to get the boat moving with no one around to emulate. I'm having dinner tonight with my  sponsor.  I've been talking it over with the team and my weather expert.  Personally, I really want to experience this adventure, but as a racer, it's tough. We're not talking about sailing a long way like Moitessier, but completing the Vendée Globe. »