"For the moment I'm just pleased to be making quick headway towards the south. It's not easy to identify the best way to pass the Cape Verde Islands, which lie straight ahead. I don't yet know what I'll do. The timing is also significant as conditions vary considerably between day and night. I'll be doing it by day, while the three leaders will tackle it earlier during the night. One thing is certain. We're going to have to head off westwards to get through the Doldrums. There is no miracle solution."
Vincent Riou (PRB)
 

"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.