You can watch Sam Davies (Roxy) cross the Equator in her latest video.  Just click on video in the media section.

 

Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat)is now in 23rd place 881 miles from the leader.  During the night he overtook Norbert Sedlacek (Nauticsport-Kapsch).
"The fun and games started a bit further north than expected, but they are clearly here.  The first squall turned up early in the night and as there is no moon, I didn't really see it coming. I could feel something strange in the air and by the time I put on the radar, the squall was already here.  Sailed in under full mainsail and big gennaker. Fortunately the wind didn't get above 30 knots but it lasted a good half hour with heavy rain and lightning. Then the wind came around 120° and I was back with the conditions I had had before the squall. So downwind in 15 knots of wind. Very soon after another squall appeared, but this time I had time to hoist the solent and take down the gennaker. Since then, I have been sailing close-hauled in 15-20 knots of wind in the rain and I am on the course I wanted.  So what is good is that the wind is blowing. Have a nice day, Bernard"

 

Dee Caffari (Aviva) is in sixteenth place this morning 419 miles from the leader.
"Well the Southerly winds that met me from cloud number five on Friday night grew in strength and before I had time to realize it this was me clear of the doldrums. I was now upwind and feeling all out of sorts with the boat heeling over again. It has taken the best part of today (Saturday) to get my upwind feel back for the boat again. I have had a reef in and out within the hour, ballast tanks are being filled and emptied while I try to get a feel for what Aviva wants. The wind is not helping as it is very inconsistent in strength, so hard to set up for. Also in the back of my mind I am aware that Foncia slipped past in the rain clouds last night and now Cali onboard Akena is pushing at the bit once more so I really have no time for any rest and recovery. The only concern I have at the moment is wondering when the wind will back and allow us to get some more south in our course as I wasn't planning a stop in Brazil!"

 

Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore) in tenth place, 94.7 miles from the leader, has been sailing in the southern hemisphere for about 24 hours now and is already asking questions about the steady conditions.

"How long is this going to last!? We were looking forwards to the SE'ly trade winds like a kid on his last day of school. We couldn't wait for stable winds and reliable forecasts and we're not disappointed about that.  It's blowing and we're leaning over. We're making steady headway and it's bumpy. And it's going to last.  As we're never satisfied, we can't wait for the moment to turn left.
Ahead of us the high stretches out.  Will we have to go all the way around? Will there be  a low to give us a hand and cut through the middle? Or will there be several options: teh leaders going around and the second group going straight through?
Mystery! Patience! And no big ideas, as we will only be disappointed.So we continue on our way; preferably going as fast as those nearby. That is the only option, and while it may be a bit boring, we have to keep at it. Sailing a boat healed over in choppy seas is noo easy mattter. In fact, heeled over, everything becomes complicated: preparing meals, writing, changing...Try it at home: cut two legs off your chairs, beds, tables and desks.  Some people will tell you that you're crazy, but you'll understand what we're going through!  It works too if you have one leg shorter than the other.  I told you, we were never satisfied!!"

Sam Davies (Roxy) crossed the equator at 14h53 yesterday.  Last night, she sent a message concerning the celebrations.
"Hello from the Southern Hemisphere!

Well today's big news is that the water goes the wrong way round when it goes down the plughole!!! If I had a plughole....
 I offered my traditional Champagne and chocolate. After the celebrations were over, I was busy trimming the sails, and I hadn't noticed that Lucky and Foxy (my lucky duck and his flamingo girlfriend) had pinched the rest of the champagne and were finishing it off. They weren't feeling too good, being in the wrong hemisphere and all that....  Thankfully, the champagne has worn off and I have managed to persuade them back to their home at the chart table where I can keep an eye on them!"

Message from Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia), received during the night, after he became the fifteenth sailor to cross the Equator:
«3H 43 MIN 20 SEC  on 23/11/2008, Foncia crossed the Equator.  I didn't see Neptune, as it was dark.  He must have been sleeping and me too.  Beating upwind in variable winds.  I didn't know that Neptune suffered from asthma.
Mich
PS A great detective novel is perfect for falling asleep.»