"Typical Southern Ocean conditions here, 30-35 knots of wind, drizzle and Bahrain Team Pindar is going fast, making good miles on the fleet and handling the conditions well.  I am now just on the leading edge of a band of strong NW winds that are making their way eastwards, and I am using that wind to make some miles back on the frontrunners, before this wind reaches them. For the first time in the race the peloton has split and decided to go all over the ocean in search of the best wind. It is going to be interesting to see them regroup at the next ice gate.  So far I am enjoying this stage of the race even though it is often wet and stressful, because, as I thought to myself yesterday whilst on the helm. I am here because it’s been a dream to race around the world solo, and now it’s a reality, I am fortunate enough to be doing it thanks to Pindar and Bahrain, so savour and remember it all. That’s all for today, as I have got to clean up half of last nights dinner that ended up in the bilge after one large wave, and then get ready for another gybe."
Brian Thompson (Pindar) in his log yesterday evening

 

"Just the weather you hope for, real ocean racing weather! This morning was sunny and a few dolphins raced alongside the boat.  I think they just about won... Today, I spent seven hours at the helm. I should be heading further south, but that would mean giving up the speed.  I've been busy with the video camera today to.  All in all it was a rather tiring, but great day!"
Norbert Sedalacek (Nauticsport-Kapsch) in his daily message yesterday evening

"A difficult few days on board Artemis, as I try and work out how to make her go fast and safe in these strong downwind conditions. I have a few problems on board that I am trying to fix, watermaker being the most important.  Hopefully get them working today, will let you know. Breezy night last night, with 40 knots of wind and a massive confused sea state.  Not much fun I have to say, and I owe the pilot another beer for being out in the cold all night and not moaning!  Found that the trim tab had been stuck down which explains why the boat has felt so unstable – guess it easy to miss obvious things when you are tired.  Managed to get it back up with some persuasion, and we feel better already. A month of greyness ahead then!!  Whoop whoop!!"
 
Jonny Malbon (Artemis) in his daily message

"A speedy day surfing with the top speed of 28 knots. It is a little bit full on but I am getting used to it and Aviva is loving it. Mind you seeing Bernard Stamm steam through makes me realise that his several laps in this direction counts for quite a lot. I feel as if I am in the deep end of the swimming pool for the first time and frantically paddling to stay afloat. It is intense and a little stressful and you feel that at any moment it might all be over but the fact that you are doing it makes you grin from ear to ear.  The highlight of today was passing the first ice gate. This afternoon the gate was to the south of me. The next mark of the course is passing beneath the first Great Cape. The Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.  I may have missed the worst of the weather but my 30 knots of breeze has been accompanied by huge waves that have controlled Aviva and I more than the wind and sails at times. The worst of the weather will be through tonight and we shall see a lighter wind for the end of the weekend. Another chance to check through the boat after her first big surf in the south."
Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message sent yesterday evening

 

"It was when I went to inform you of my passage through the Ice Gate that I realised I hadn' t been in contact for a long time.  Sorry about that.  For more than two days now, I've been in a fairly strong NW'ly flow. Initially the forecasts said ther would be 50-knot winds, but in the end it was around 30-35 knots. Cheminées Poujoulat is doing well. Some impressive surf, especially when I'm inside. The boat heels over slightly there is a sudden increase in speed to above 20 knots and she stays with the wave for 30 seconds or a minute in deafening din, before starting again. If I go on the attack, I go slightly off course, but she will stay with the wave for longer.  Most of the time under pilot. Just as well as if you wanted to be at the helm in these conditions, you'd need deep sea diver's gear.  I'm leaving the windward rudder down, in case the boat gets closer to the wind direction and heels over the other way, and that makes the helm quite sticky. I've been wondering all night whether I should gybe, if I could round the high by the north and catch up the others a bit more. But for the moment I'm continuing like this.  Apart from that it's dull, cold and wet and looks like it's going to be like that for a month. I almost forgot to say that Cheminées Poujoulat passed the number 1 Gate. I was to the north of the western mark on Friday 6th December at 15h35'37''UTC."
Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat)  in his message sent during the night.

 

Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Groupe Maisonneuve) today sailed the greatest distance towards the finish.  Over the past 24 hours, he covered 397 miles.  This evening, he is in 21st place, 1302 miles from the leader.