Raphaël Dinelli is determined to sail around the world cleanly using solar panels and a wind turbine for his source of energy.  His boat is now up and running after he had to prepare her during the race.  In his latest video he shows us his wind turbine working in its vertical position.  To see this, just click on video.

Sam Davies (Roxy) is in 13th place, 194 miles from the leader. 

"Yesterday I managed to get some rest and recharge my batteries. The upwind conditions continue but were pretty stable allowing me to chill out, just with the occasional trim, or ease, of sheets to be done from time to time. And at the end of the day I was treated to a  beautiful sunset which I will share with you!

Yet again, today dawns to show a bumpy and confused sea, and now the wind is a lot less stable - between 18 and 26 knots. Roxy isn't really happy and I have been struggling to find the right configuration for her. It is a bit like being on some kind of fairground ride that is totally unpredictable. Just when I think I have got used to the motion, we find another "hole" in the sea, and go crashing into it and that trips Roxy up and quite often takes me by surprise too! This is maybe a sign that we are nearing the high pressure and conditions are soon to change....Making tea this morning is going to be a high-tariff manoeuvre!"

 

Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air) is in second place, less than a mile from the leader.
"I'm a real fan of heroic fantasy and have with me the saga of the Lord of the Rings. In fact there are quite a few similarities between Tolkien's heroes and the Vendée Globe competitors: We are on a quest too, where there are a number of hurdles to overcome!  It's funny as I've just finished the first volume and the hero is about to continue his journey in the land of shadows… rather like us…" 

 

"Slowly, ever so slowly the wind backs as we beat and thrash our way upwind. Most  uncomfortable. I'm not sure if the fleet ahead of me had upwind conditions like this but it would explain why they did not pull away after the doldrums like I thought they should have. Normally we would be close reaching down the coast of Brazil. Ironically when we come this way again in
7 or 8 weeks, we will probably be upwind again past Brazil towards the finish line. The humidity is taking its toll in skin rashes and blisters. Everytime I go on deck it's either a salt water shower or foul weather gear while sweating to death underneath. After more than two weeks at sea, I
begin to wonder if "foul" weather gear refers to the outside or the inside of the gear. Time for a good rain shower I'm hoping, before it gets too cold in another week or so. Time for lunch; chicken with noodles and  bread and peanut butter and jam.  And a French chocolate pudding for dessert."

Derek Hatfield (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada) in his daily message.

 

"Lots of work to do during the night making small adjustments, as the wind was variable in strength and direction. I'm sleeping a bit outside in my red seat to be able to react quickly.  It's not very easy to rest but I don't know if the race will ever be!  The weather is really complicated.  Should we be on the direct route like Jean Le Cam and run the risk of getting close to the heart of the high or should we take the long way around like Loïck prolonging the distance? I prefer to go more slowly taking the middle route.  It's starting to get cold.  I have put on some extra layers of clothes, as the temperature is not going above 10°C.  In latitude, we're at 35° south, further down than South Africa. We're getting close to the Roaring Forties." 

Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) this morning. 

 

"When I was a teenager there was an electronic game, where you had to eat up the points in a maze,  while avoiding being eaten by the little creatures, who added a touch of spice to the race.  Chasing after the competitors here and catching them reminds me of that game.  Sorry Raphaël.  It was only logical as the boats are not at all the same.  If I didn't catch you it would have been worrying.  So now on to the next.   It's Rich's turn.  He's on a boat I know well ,  as in 2003 it was in  Around Alone sailed by Thierry Dubois, my closest rival.  Once again, the boats are from very different generations.  Today, it's overcast and lots of squalls and it's raining.  It's not as hot now, which is good."
Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) in his daily message