"The St. Helena high is much further west than usual. It is completely blocking our route, but in the next few days, it should move back eastwards. That is exactly what we want, as we should then  be able to return to downwind sailing." Sébastien Josse (BT)

 

Currently to the north-west of the Cape Verde Islands, Derek Hatfield (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada) is in 25th place 1401 miles from the leader.  Here is his daily message:

"Hot hot hot. 34 C inside the cabin so I will be quick today. As I sit here dripping with sweat, the trade winds are weak again today so a little slower progress. All is well and I have been able to make some headway with the charging system and I think we at least have a chance to fix the wind generator. I have to wait for a calm day to go out on the back of the boat to try the repair."

 

"Hi there, I crossed the Equator at 10H40 UTC.  Offered a gift to Neptune, some vanilla cream, a nice glass of water (mineral water) and the southern hemisphere welcomed me with a big squall with 25 knots winds and heavy rain to wash off the Veranda and its owner.  Goodbye to the northern hemisphere.  See you in  a few weeks!"
Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas)

 

"Everything is fine here! I'm still sailing in the trade winds. On board the boat, all is well. I slept well during the night and am eating well.  I'm taking advantage of some quiet time to carry out some repairs before reaching the far south in ten days or so. My home is heeling over and it's wet out on deck. This tack looks a bit long. I'm trying to keep ahead of those chasing after me.  The goal is to stay in the first three.  I've a decent speed for the moment, but everyone is sailing quickly!" Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2)

 

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"