"At around 11 UT yesterday I had the phone call that I had been hoping for, from the guys on the HMS Arunta, to confirm that Yann was safely on board. It was a great relief! Since I had known they were on scene, I had been getting Roxy ready to race again, stacking, preparing the correct sails, and drying me and her out! So, as soon as race direction called to give me the all-clear, we gybed off towards the SE, and the next safety gate. Once set up on course, I decided that Roxy was quite happy to sail herself, so I set my alarms on Tactique (wind direction change and wind speed change), the Radar (in case of close encounter with Safran!) and AIS, but no wake-up alarm! I had a lovely deep sleep, whilst Roxy sailed herself proudly though the mist like "The Black Pearl" in The Pirates of the Caribbean! Today, I have been studying the weather and routing, as I hadn't looked at that really for 48h, and planning the next few days of the race and the approach to the next gate. Roxy has a new neighbour - Safran - and we are sailing not too far from each other. It's nice to have company. The wind  is quite light - good for resting but not good for boatspeed! I have also realised that I passed Cape Leeuwin - without noticing!! So 2 Capes down, the big one to go - Cape Horn!"
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message

 

"If you say gybe, the first thing that comes to my mind is "stacking": moving all the gear, a dreadful job that you get crewmen to do, when you're a helmsman, a dreadful job  that you have to do yourself, when they are down the pub and you are alone at sea. The operation involves shifting all of the dead weight from one side to the other to balance the weight. If you do it well, that means everything is moved before changing tack, enabling you to sail with around 600 kilos of stuff that you would love to do without on the leeward side: sails, food, safety gear and spares. Synonym: punishment."
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) in his daily message sent during he night

 

Jean-Yves Chauve, the Vendée Globe doctor has spoken with Yann Eliès and the doctor taking care of him aboard HMAS Arunta.  Some reassuring news. Yann is awake, rested and is beginning to eat normally. He is still taking his pain-killers, but has been able to cut back on the dosage.  He is due to reach Fremantle at 3h GMT on Monday.

 

Over the past 24 hours, Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) currently in fourth place, 162.3 miles from the leader, sailed the greatest distance towards the finish.  Between 19h yesterday and this evening, he covered 324.6 miles.

 

"Yann was very pleased to see us. He was in his bunk. A diagnosis confirmed a fractured left femur. An examination also revealed several broken ribs. Everything else appeared to be normal.   After his transfer he was able to eat and drink. His left leg is now in traction. He is very tired after the past 48 hours, but has been able to ring his wife. We shall be monitoring him closely until we reach Australia."  
Dr. David mcIlroy and Medical Officer William Bee, who have been taking care of Yann Eliès

 

"I’ve come out of a black and white scene where I’ve been sailing most of the Southern Ocean, into technicolour. The sky has blue in it, the sun has come out – momentarily — and even the sea looks a shade of blue in it. I’m on the edge of a high pressure, heading on a southwards gybe and it’s actually pleasant sailing! Robbie Williams is a good feel-good factor so I shall play him whilst I’m doing my checks on the boat, because it’s a lot easier to move around without the fear of something else happening while you’re busy in another area of the boat.
I’m in 15-20 knots which is almost like a little respite. As always, just when you think everything’s nice there’s a little monster on the way, but hopefully I’ll get as far east as I can and miss the worst of it."
Dee Caffari (Aviva) on today's radio session