"I'm still recovering on stand-by looking after my foot. I've been in pain for two days (after falling over, editor). A knock caused an inflammation of the Achilles tendon and the arch of my foot. It's not easy to stand, especially in the sort of weather we just had. It's quite a swelling. If I don't leave it rest, it will continue to be a problem for a long time.  Now we're sailing slowly through the high.  We should get underway again during the night. I'm making 6-7 knots with about the same strength of wind. I'm heading south to get to the other side of this zone.»
Vincent Riou (PRB), on this morning's radio session.

 

"Another fast and sleepless night as the winds got up to 30+ knots and boat speeds in the low 20's. I still don't have the confidence in the  autopilots to actually go to sleep and leave them on their own. It's like teaching a teenager how to drive, confidence in them is gained after a period of time and experience. I've had a nap this morning to ward off the drowsiness and it's almost time to make a sail change. I'm watching the high pressure off to my left like a hawk as I'm nervous that it will start back my way and I will get caught.  The clean up of the oil spill has not progressed very well as the deck is still awash in water from surfing so much. I hope to have a better picture of the mess later today."
Derek Hatfield (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada) in his daily message

 

"There was a lot of wind during the night.  Waves kept sweeping over the deck. Paprec-Virbac 2 was sailing between 17 and 25 knots. It was certainly exciting!  On board the noise was deafening with the waves hitting the hull, keel and the wind whistling, as we surfed along... It was quite chilly at the same time with the sea and water temperature down to 5°C.  I let the automatic pilot do the steering to avoid getting soaked, as that is very tiring. The manoeuvres on deck are rock’n roll: the waves just keep coming at you.  Welcome to the deep south!"

Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) talking to his shore team this morning
 

"Roxy and I have had a great 24 hours of super-fast sailing! The wind has been between 35 and 40 knots and we've been hooning along. At one point I decided that things were a bit "crazy fast" so I took another reef. The thing is, that didn't slow us down!! The speed seems to be determined by how Roxy wants to surf the waves - she is a surfer, after all, and probably knows a whole lot more than me about the subject! So, I took confidence in my super boat and let her decide where to go, and at what speed! And the result was a great 24 hours sailing! A couple of "oh crumbs how is this one going to end?" moments when I found myself clutching to the chart table a bit tight as we careened sideways off a big breaker - but each time for no reason, Roxy just picked herself up, shook off the water, and lined up the next wave....."
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message

 

"Sorry but the conditions weren't really favourable for writing at the moment.  Zooming along.  there are times, when we would like to slam on the brakes and apply the handbrake!  The weather conditions are ideal for us 25 - 30 knot winds and broad reaching, that helps.  Since the start it feels like I've gone off the official ski run on a mountain.  The fleeces are back on now and I'm sailing with the door shut.  feels like the south.  Almost in the Roaring Forties, while I'm still scarred by the Roaring Tens and my back is peeling for he winter.   The boat is in fine shape, but there are a few daily jobs to do, but no real worries.  it is however very wet! Impossible to stay at the helm, and manoeuvres are punishing in these conditions.  Fortunately, this time I've got my foulies with me.  Apart from that, a bit stressful in the surf.  A bit worried, but you mustn't think about it too much.  Listening to music to cut out the jet engine sound -  a lot of rap at the moment. "
Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Groupe Maisonneuve) in his daily message

Pete Goss, who finished 5th in the 1996 Vendée Globe, is currently sailing from Cornwall to Australia aboard a replica of a traditional fishing lugger.  He was surprised this week to spot the lights of an Open 60 off the coast of Brazil and after investigation discovered he was within a mile of Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Groupe Maisonneuve).  Astonished to see such a boat in the vast expanse of the Atlantic, he also discovered that although out of sight, Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Ocean Vital) was also nearby.  In the 1996 race, Pete Goss went to the rescue of Raphaël after his boat overturned in the southern seas.