"I'm pretty tired because I manoeuvred a lot in the last hours. I gybed at night, and took the gennaker down this morning: it was getting a bit tricky given the wind conditions. I have 23 to 28 knots of breeze, and big downwind sails are difficult to handle over long periods when it blows hard. I now have one reef in the main and the Solent jib, it's still fast but much more stable - it will allow me to get some rest, and that's exactly what I'll do after I hang up!"

Sébastien Josse (BT) remains in the lead this afternoon.

"Yesterday I saw some interesting wildlife. In the morning, Roxy was covered in little squid. So I guessed that we had been under attack during the night! Guillaume, one of the Roxy boys, would have had a whole meal out of what was on deck, but eating them raw like that is not my cup of tea! Later on during the day, I saw my first albatross and even a seal! I didn't realise seals swam so far away from land. Nice to have a bit of company anyway.  It was such a busy Sunday and I am glad I got all my jobs done. I even had time for a last bucket shower, in the evening sunshine, probably the last time I chuck seawater over my head until after Cape Horn!  It was yet another beautiful sunset and Roxy was bubbling along under spinnaker. Just perfect sailing and hard to believe we are in the Southern Ocean. The sun dropped into the sea, colouring the sky oranges and pinks and turning the sea into an oily blue. The sky above, the colour of twilight, decorated by a slither of the new moon. It is good to see the moon again putting to an end these pitch black nights we were having, where it is impossible to see anything. The stars are less easy to see now. However once we are in the "land of the shadows" for real, to see any star will be a treat as the sky is nearly always cloudy."

Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message

 

"A bit of a shocker this morning to find another batten car on the mast broken and the batten hanging loose against the mast. As daylight came on I could also see damage to the mast track but once I could take a closer look by climbing up, it turns out that the track is damaged but not so much that the cars can go by. I had visions of the same thing back in Les Sables d'Olonne after the storm.  I've replaced the broken car with a spare one and after three hours or so, am  back up and running again. This is the second batten car that has broken and what is disconcerting is the fact that they are breaking and why? I will try and figure it out to prevent others breaking as I only have one spare left. "

Derek Hatfield (Algimouss Spirit of Canada)

 

"Feels like I have been in one massive squall for the last 24 hours – 20 – 28 knots of wind, thick cloud, and horizontal rain.  Sounds just like England.  Hope to have a little break in the weather at some point, but maybe not for 24 hours. Still, making good progress, and life on board is not to bad."

Jonny Malbon (Artemis) in his daily message

A transition day for the Vendée Globe fleet. Some are finding it difficult to get out of the St. Helena high, while others are beginning to pick up the winds that will take them to the Atlantic gate and the Cape of Good Hope.  See all the action and the latest news in the daily video for the 21st day of racing. Just click here.

"I'm sailing rapidly to the south towards the first gate, which I reckon to reach in about ten days.  Today, there was a magnificent sunrise,accompanied by some snarling gusts. I just noticed them in time and leapt outside into the cockpit like an old pirate and got through it by steering by hand, without taking in any reefs. Some wonderful moments, a backdrop of the wild force of nature, but there were some fabulous colours and with warm spray and the boat pushing through the seas.  Then the second highlight of the day: the opening of my first Advent biscuit tin.  Celebrated with three biscuits after my morning muesli and they were just great.  I'll be rationing out the rest."  Norbert Sedlacek (Nauticsport-Kapsch) in his night message