After retiring from the Vendée Globe, Unai Basurko (Pakea Bizkaia) has decided to sail his boat home.  If the weather conditions and the boat permit it, Basurko could reach Getxo in the middle of January.   The Basque sailor estimates that with only one rudder he cannot exceed 10 knots, even when the conditions are good. Basurko is considering several options: 'On the way to the Equator I have in mind Saint Helena Island and Ascension. Most of the time I will sail on a starboard tack, so with the good rudder functioning and protected by the centerboard from possible collisions, although I am conscious that there is a risk'. The SE winds during the next 2000 miles will help him to reach the Equator. Then he will go North trying to reach the Canaries. Once there, he will decide between the different options (Portimao or the Azores) depending on the forecast.

 

"Brr...Brr!! Yes it is that cold. This will be short as I have to take my gloves off to type. I gybed today in pleasant conditions and then spent another 40 minutes moving everything below deck which did help warm me up. It feels strange when you first gybe as it doesn't feel quite right leaning to the other side but you do soon get used to it. I was pleased to head back east again rather than the steady south east course of last night as the sea temperature was at 3 degrees and there was something spooky about today. I just felt unsettled. I couldn't tell you what it was but I constantly kept looking out and then going on deck to check around both onboard Aviva and around in the sea. I then heard the terrible news about Gitana. I am devastated for the Jedi Master and to think he was only up the mast yesterday. It makes my stomach turn to think about it. Aviva is going well and doing a sterling job. Tonight we will be passing south of Prince Edward Island and Marion Island."
Dee Caffari (Aviva ) in her daily message

 

Over the past 24 hours, Dominique Wavre covered the greatest distance  towards the finish of all the fleet.  Currently in 11th place, 233 miles from the leader, between 19h UTC yesterday evening and this evening he covered 382 miles.

 

This afternoon at 16h a special radio link was established with Loïck Peyron (Gitana 80), who explained the circumstances behind the dismasting of his boat.  You can listen to this interview by clicking here and selecting Loïck Peyron (eng)  

 

"I have a very favourable wind which is enabling me to get in some southing. It had dropped to 18 knots this morning but now it’s been boosted to 22, 23 knots. There are messy cross seas and the swell is beam on and the boat’s struggling to get into the groove. It’s often halted by a wave the minute it launches into a surf. The speeds are quite varied and Temenos II is making headway in fits and starts. It requires a great deal of work as regards the sail trimming, which isn’t always easy. When the sea state is good, with a wave on the tail which launches the boat into the surf, you can expect 18 knot average speeds without forcing things too hard. However, the minute the sea state is poor you lose 3 knots straight away. In this instance you really get the feeling that if you force the boat too hard by carrying too much sail aloft, you can cause damage with the violent braking in the waves. Forcing your way through these types of seas isn’t reasonable. You have to try and weave your way through gently when the sea state is poor. As soon as the boat’s making more than 20 knots the rudders scream creating a fairly stressful, sharp noise. I tune the I-pod into my anti-noise earphones and that tones down the noise well and it becomes more bearable.”
Dominique Wavre (Temenos II) talking to his shore team today

 

"Yesterday under spinnaker, I stayed at the helm for a few hours before handing over to the autopilot.  I even managed to get some sleep.  It just goes to show that having a good pilot and knowing how to pace yourself are both sources of success. I'll certainly be going to the south of the Kerguelens. At the moment, there are 25 knots of wind and it feels like there's hardly any. Here things are on a different scale.  Below thirty knots, it feels like there's no wind. I don't hang around out on deck and while I chose a minimalist approach inside I am not complaining.  But it's true that it is very cold. I can see my breath all the time."
Marc Guillemot (Safran) talking to his shore team today