“My goal is now to complete this round the world voyage safely with a boat that is in good condition. At the same time, I haven’t lost any of my competitive spirit and shall be setting myself goals from time to time.” Derek Hatfield (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada) by e-mail.
 

Sam Davies, in 13th place, 283 miles from the leader, is currently sailing at the latitude of Espirito Santo.  If you're not sure where that is, take a look at the video Sam has just sent.  She offers us a geography lesson from the South Atlantic.  Just click on videos in the media section.  

 

Leeds Metropolitan University is in the process of conducting a study into the use of energy by the human body and they are taking advantage of Dee Caffari's experience on Aviva to obtain the relevant data.  Over a fourteen day period in the Atlantic and the southern oceans, she is taking 5 urine samples, which will later be analysed to calculate energy expenditure.  This will enable scientists in the future to calculate precise energy requirements during such a race and better adapt Dee's diet to these needs.

 

Remember you can catch up on the day's news stories and enjoy the highlights of the Vendée Globe as seen by the sailors by viewing the daily round-up video available online in English each evening.  Just click on videos in the media section.

 

"Yesterday the pounding of the boat was so bad that I re-injured the rib that I think is fractured. Over the two weeks since the start of the race the injury had slowly gotten better, although sometimes it seemed like there was a sharp knife in my back when I was grinding the pedestal winch to hoist the main sail from one reef to the next (360 revolutions!)  The pain had eased until it felt like only a butter knife in my back instead of a sharp knife. Then yesterday, while resting on the chart table bench, we crashed off a wave and it felt as though everything that had healed in my back came undone. The rib felt broken and very painful again. I spoke with the doctor later in the day, and he, too, thinks that I cracked the healing rib again. Fortunately, he does not think it will take two weeks for the rib to get back to the healed state that it was in before yesterday. "

Rich Wilson (Great American III) in his log yesterday evening.

 

"So this is Martin Vaz.  Reminds me of home in Brittany, home sweet home. It has rained non-stop for almost three hours.  Unfortunately, as we were upwind, we were also getting covered in salt water,or otherwise, I would have got a good wash.  The seas are still just as confused, and it's starting to get a bit annoying.  They could fit in with the wind but clearly, they can't agree.  Not easy to get any rest, which I think I deserve after this battle. Going to have to put up with it. I could have booked a hotel here on Martin, but given the size of the island (3.4 miles across at its widest point), I don't know if there is one or if anyone lives here, maybe just a soldier being punished.  
Sorry, I got it wrong.  I don't know why but in my mind, Martin Vaz was to my west and Trindade to the east and as I was west of them both, I thought I was next to Martin, but no. So it's Trindade that is 3.4 miles across and Martin Vaaz includes three islands, the biggest of which is 0.39 miles across (about 800 metres) and is an amazing 175 metres high."

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) by e-mail