"Today's programme: go and find a little pine tree in the forest, plant it in a bucket, with some earth and take it home to decorate it with garlands. Careful with the nativity scene, take out Jesus for later. Careful with the candles as the firemen are having their own little party. What about Father Christmas? That's easy. Old Bilou has always got his costume with him as he sails around the world and he's not far away. I'll put my name down on his list and am sure he will deliver. (...)So there's Jean and me, waiting for Bilou, like two little kids in front of the fireplace. "Hey Jean, do you believe in Father Christmas?" "No, it's just to see if Bilou can get down the chimney!" The front door is open. Is anyone bringing ice cubes?"
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) in his daily message
 

Based on radar pictures from the Envisat satellite identifying the possible presence of ice on the race course between the New Zealand Gate (Gate 8) and the Western Pacific Gate (Gate 9), the Race Directors have decided to modify the position of the latter. Its new position is 45°30 south, between 145°00 west and 136°00 west (previous position: 50°30 S, between 151° W and 141° W).
 

"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