"After the ‘Moon Boots’ episode yesterday, today is ‘Fashion is Southern Ocean headgear’. I have a favourite oilskin top from last year, which I love and wear all the time. The trouble is, I broke the neck seal in it a couple of weeks ago, so it is no longer waterproof. So, now my best option for on deck manoeuvres is a simple drysuit top, great because it’s light and quick to put on. The trouble is that it has no hood, meaning my hat, which has become compulsory on deck due to the cold, and consequently my hair gets wet. I have been fed up with putting my hat in the engine to dry each time I come in from on deck, so I had a brilliant idea: I’ll make a waterproof balaclava!  So, out of the highest quality Ziploc, re-inforced with duck-tape, I have made myself a fantastic waterproof balaclava!  I reckon that any chances of Roxy offering me a job as a designer on return from this race have now gone out of the window.  Anyway, staying dry is so important out here that I am willing to risk a heavy fine from the Fashion Police. I already noticed that the Abatrosses were giving me very strange looks yesterday as I pottered around on deck with a plastic bag on my head!"

Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message

 

"Boy is it cold. This south westerly air flow comes from Antarctica and it is bitterly cold. My extremities are like icicles. I have piled the layers on now and look forward to running the generator as it adds a little heat. Today was exciting as it was a new food bag day. I packed my food into ten day bags and to open a new bag it always a treat, as I can't help but eat my favourites first so the last few days are always the boring food. Now I am back to treats again. One treat that I have not been without for big offshore events, ever since my first transatlantic when I worked for Mike Golding, is Mummy Tourell's homemade shortbread. I have saved my box until the south but I have to admit it is disappearing pretty quickly. I was sure I could have a piece everyday in the south but I have been incapable of eating just one piece. It is too yummy!"
Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message

 

"It's grey from morning to night.  Light or dark grey. It's all a question of the shade. On top of that it's freezing with the water around 5° and the air between 1 and 6° yesterday.  Great!!  Mustn't grumble. It was advertised to be like this.  We put up with he balaclava, the big collar even if it's not very sexy.  But we're not here to seduce anyone, are we? Some people dream of the sunshine when they're in the Vendée Globe.  I'm dreaming of fine sandy beaches, palm trees and warm water.   Going to pull the duvet up another 20 centimetres and get myself a little grog."
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia)in his daily message

 

"Hi, After a few headsail changes yesterday and a big gennaker rolled up like a potato, I put up the smaller gennaker, which is easier to handle.  That seems to be the solution with the cold I can feel here.  It's very damp.  A chilly or even cold night with the radar on around 3 to reassure me.  The sun has come to warm up my veranda now.  About time too.  I've now got two English girls to take care of..."

Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas)in his daily message

"Hi, Had a bad night.  Had problems unhooking the headsail, so was stuck for several hours with too small a sail, so poor speed and probably a poor course too. At dawn, I was able to solve the problem, but that meant I didn't get any rest and that affects decision-taking.  Pity, because the weather is good and normally the night should have gone smoothly. It's all part of the race.  Now I'm going to have to find the time to get some rest without affecting the boat's progress. So that's what's going on this morning.  I'm going to get something to eat and then I'll feel better."
Bernard Stamm( Chéminées Poujoulat) in his daily message

 

"Yesterday, I was very motivated and settled down to some work: making the coach roof and portholes watertight, tidying up the cockpit, taking photos and filming…Today was a dream day for sailing, except there isn't much wind. About an hour ago, I changed tack and I'm now heading east towards the gate, some 280 miles ahead. Dinelli is only a few miles ahead of me.  Maybe I shall benefit from a  better position – further south – but that's not the priority.  What really counts is sailing safely, and trying to keep up with the other sailors. There's a long way to go to Cape Horn and this is not a week-end's sailing. I let my attention drift and the keel ram got stuck. I managed to sort it out, but it just shows how careful we need to be.  Keep cool and pay attention."

Norbert Sedlacek, Nauticsport-Kapsch, in his night message