"It's all gone so quickly...I've completely lost track of time...So we're Sunday today, are we? For me there are no more days or weeks.. The days simply tick by with the arrival of each new weather chart and the scheds."  Yann Eliès (Générali)

Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Maisonneuve) left the Vendée Globe pontoon at 16h47. Maisonneuve crossed the start line at 17h17'33". Light 6-knot NNE'ly wind and flat calm sea. Jean-Baptiste is sailing off to Cape Finisterre under gennaker and full mainsail. 

"A Sunday out on the veranda (Akena for those, who don't understand).  During the gales, I broke my windvane, so I've just replaced it and it works.  I'm pleased my student friend (Fred ) came and explained to me with a (climbing) demonstration and gave me the equipment.  So I carried out  a check-up while I was up there.  Guillaume (one of the support team) had me down to go up twice during the round the world voyage: so that's one down!  Once I was up there, I had a great view, but I couldn't wait to get back down." Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas)

 

"The important thing is to be in the right pack, the actual positioning is less an issue. It's very satisfying to have sailed well, to have taken the right options. Then again, it's not like we have been the first ones to enter the Southern Ocean.  The Doldrums still have to be crossed and that could wipe out our lead.  The passage through the Cape Verde Islands is another story.  There are several ways in and out, so  it's an interesting tactical moment."  Sébastien Josse (BT).

It was noticed that Fondation Ocean Vital had been making slow headway since yesterday evening and her course was rather erratic.  Contacted by telephone, Raphael Dinelli confirmed that as he was becalmed, he preferred to lower his sails, which were flapping around. In such circumstances the wear and tear on the sails and equipment can be significant, and  he has only just begun his round the world voyage, which is likely to last at least 80 days.  Taking advantage of the sunshine, Raphaël was able to check his batteries were charging correctly (using chiefly his solar panels) and that the results match the expectations of the designers.

 

"Talking on the link-up for the radio session is a complicated task. I wouldn't go as far as Loïck and say that it was downright rude to disturb me on my boat, but it's just that sometimes it's rather difficult to find the words to explain what is going on aboard the boat, what is happening in the race and how I feel. Anyway, just now, I was asked what I thought about the pace of the race after one week at sea.  I was incapable of uttering the slightest sensible answer.  I just repeated the same thing over and over: a miserable performance.  It's not going to stop me from getting any sleep, but it's just that I feel that I didn't quite manage to convey my thoughts to you, which really annoys me."

Some thoughts about Kito de Pavant:
"I can remember hugging him on the day of the start and telling him to take care...
I still haven't called him, because I don't have the courage and I'm afraid that it will bring the bad memories flooding back.  It's a good example of the commitment you find in this race.  For a moment your reason returns and you ease off.  I feel so sad for the friends, who are back on dry land and there's my natural reserve too.  So, maybe Kito will read these words ...and Yannick, who has given his all to this crazy chase.  I know they will bounce back, as they've got the inner strength it takes.  Then, there's Marco! Usain Bolt can win the 100m Olympic sprint with his laces undone, but Thiercelin cannot win the Vendée Globe without a mast... Marc is a great bloke."

Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore)