Loick Peyron: “I’m well rested, which is preferable given what lies in store for us. It’s currently 32°C inside Gitana Eighty and the water temperature is 29°C”. Loïck Peyron can’t resist a hint of mischievousness: “I’m considering the possibility of having a little dip, especially if the wind continues to drop away! It’s gradually easing, very slowly. I think we’ll hold onto this for another 24 to 30 hours at this pace. Today the exit would seem to be located 300 miles ahead if all goes well. However, as we all know, launching into predictions here smacks slightly of utopia. You have to bear in mind that it could change for the better or worse without warning! For the time being it’s sunny, which contrasts with previous days and there is still no sign of the classic Doldrums”.
“I forced my way down last night so as to position myself directly in line with the chasing pack. I may serve as a pacemaker to them of course but I didn’t want to find myself in an extreme situation. I am happy with my new position. My strategy is clear; to make headway to the south and above all not think about it too much. I’ve made my decision and I’m calmly sticking to it! I will be the first little boy to give sweets to the nasty lady and I really hope I don’t have to leave her too many…”.
 “I’m helming a little in the shade but I sometimes leave the pilot to helm whilst I keep watch. You have to be on top  of things as some very fine and tricky trimming is required. All’s well aboard though. I still have some fresh food in the locker and I’m making the most of it in this heat. I’m thoroughly respecting the rule of five fresh fruit and vegetables a day!”

"I have less than 6 knots of wind at the moment. The grib files forecast a little more for me today. It feels like I’m already in the Doldrums, even though I’m still some 200 miles away. I’m making 6 knots of boat speed. We’re being shaken up by a slight swell and the boat is struggling to find a favourable point of sail. This zone of high pressure has been slowing me down since midday. I felt it gradually creep up on me in the early hours and the situation hasn’t really sorted itself out since."
Dominique Wavre (Temenos)
 

"Since the start I've become more like a boar rather than a civilised being!  A boar, because I've grown a beard and worry about my machine and the weather, and am completely obsessed by my performance. The boar's only concern  is to be ahead of the pack and make sure he has enough to eat in the evening. Take advantage of these final sentences that remain understandable, before I become increasing inward looking.  This race is tough and takes over.  While it is a pleasure to share my feelings and experiences, I get the feeling that the further I go, the different the language we speak. 20 knots under spinnaker, is a bit too much.  Got to go now!" Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore).

 

The skipper of Cheminées Poujoulat is currently sailing downwind off the Canaries, and covered  277.9 miles over the past 24 hours. Pushed along by a steady trade wind, the Swiss sailor was pleased with the conditions he has been experiencing since Cape Finisterre. Ranked 24th, 1133 miles from the leader, of all of the fleet, he made the best progress today.

 

The skipper of Algimouss Spirit of Canada, sailing off Madeira, sent this message to the race directors this afternoon:
"All OK on board, trying hard to make some inroads to boats ahead. There are some squalls around that are threatening to upset the sailing routine and I must be vigilant to avoid breakages during the storms.  All the best, Derek" 
 

"Well I have to say it has been another difficult 24 hours on board. None of the weather models have borne any resemblance to reality. This makes planning anything very difficult, but worst of all it leaves the day wide open to worry and check and double check all the routing solutions. This is very time consuming and very unrewarding when you come away with no real answers, predictions or routes!  It also leads me to think that all my instruments were misreading, and giving false readouts!! This is not good especially when I am sailing downwind and each gybe (change in direction) takes about 40 mins and is VERY labour intensive. Anyway I think I have cracked it; rather than barrel west to get in line behind the others I have gybed back to the south. We shall have to see if it pans out over the next few days. I have some confidence in this particular model, so I will be keeping my fingers crossed! If things don’t materialise quite how I envisage, I can still head west after the Cape Verde islands which are now approx 100 miles south of me.

My beard is getting long enough not to be itchy now, so I will have to decide whether to keep and go full man of the sea, or whether to have a shave in the doldrums. Tough decision I hear you say!! Those are the kind of things that fill up the rest of my day – shall I have a cup of tea now, or in five minutes is another common one!!"

Jonny Malbon (Artemis) currently in 19th place, 467 miles from the leader