"Conditions are foul. I have just had a squall with 50 knots in it pass over, leaving me with 19 knots. Really difficult to find a sail set that works for this range!  I have 4 reefs and the staysail at the moment. The sea state is enormous, and the only good thing about the situation is that the sun is out its going to be like this for Christmas Day and Boxing Day as well – I am really going to miss my big Christmas lunch and then a sleep on the sofa by the fire!! It couldn’t be more different being on board that’s for sure. Its really difficult to get any sleep – as soon as I set an alarm, it goes off which leads to a very very stressful environment. Big winds forecast for the next 48 hours and an even bigger confused sea state"

Jonny Malbon (Artemis) in his daily message

"We are reaching with 25knots of wind and a bumpy sea! That makes doing anything pretty much impossible, as if you were living on a roller-coaster! Changing or trimming a sail requires me to be in full drysuit, which is easier said than done - try putting a dry suit on on dry land? Then tilt the land to 30 degrees, make the floor wet (so if you put that foot down before it is in the drysuit your sock gets wet). Put a blindfold on. Then start the roller-coaster!"

"Just earlier, I noticed a big bulge in the reef of my mainsail. There was a fold of sail that had been collecting water and it was fully loaded up, which is not at all good for the sail. I tried everything, luffing up, bearing away, its too windy to shake the reef.... nothing would get rid of the bulge. I then bore away, got a bucket, and got in there and bailed it out! 10 buckets - so at least 100kg of water in my sail! I re-adjusted the lazyjacks and got going again..... only to see that the bulge is back! So in the end I got a knife and pierced some holes in it so it would drain. I'm hoping my drain-holes will keep it at bay...."

"I opened my Christmas dinner package today! Romain has prepared a super meal for me - a delicious fish soup, with rouille and croutons! I can't wait! The only thing is that I think it is almost impossible to eat soup in these conditions!! I might have to postpone my Christmas dinner to when its calmed down a bit, otherwise I will be wearing more of it than eating it!"
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message
 

Over the past 24 hours, Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air) currently in fifth place, 373.6 miles from the leader, sailed the greatest distance towards the finish.  Between 19h yesterday and this evening, he covered 431.5 miles.
 

"It's been a very tough few days and I'm pretty tired, but I've been careful to eat and drink as much as possible, to keep my energy levels up. I feel really pleased with how the repairs have gone and a big thanks to the shore team who were a massive support. The next few days will be crucial to see how it holds."
Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) getting back on track today after completing his long repairs 

"I can't believe it's already Christmas!!! I'm thinking more about the pace in the lows. The notion of time has changed. I pick up the weather for ten days ahead to see what is coming. I'm not really aware of the time slipping by. My goal is to get through each low. The charts are so big that it makes me dizzy looking towards the future. This is the second time I shall be spending Christams at sea. The first time was in 1998 aboard Aquitaine Innovations on her delivery trip back from Tghomas Coville's Route du Rhum. It was with a crew and if I remember rightly, we reached La Rochelle on 28th December."
Arnaud Boissières (Akéna Vérandas) in his daily message
 

"The next in the series of low pressure systems is upon me as we get ready to honor the West Australia gate. Ice has been reported near this gate so we are especially vigilant in making sure we get through safely. Right now it's raining/foggy outside with about 25 knots of wind from the west. I have the radar running to spot ice if possible. Ice makes me very nervous as it is the one unknown that can damage the boat very quickly and it won't take a very big piece to break a rudder. Breaking a rudder is a race ending scenario for us as we cannot replace one at sea. I must climb a little higher to gain some latitude on the gate and I will lose some ground on the two boats in front of me. But once past the longitude of this end of the gate I can start south again."
Derek Hatfield (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada)