Auckland Island is a volcanic island located at 50°42 of latitude south and 166°50 longitude east. Belonging to New Zealand, it measures 43 kilometres in length and 20 kilometres in its widest part. It is one of the most remote and wildest places on the planet, where just a few scientists and animal photographers go to study and record pictures of some exceptionally well preserved flora and fauna. Its windward side has fabulous basalt cliffs measuring 300 metres in height. On the eastern side, the lee, has a series of fjords including Port Ross, to the north east, where Marc Guillemot plans to shelter.  The climate is of course rough at all times of year at this latitude, in the Furious Fifties. This explains why the main island holds the record for being the shortest human settlement: two years and nine months with a small British colony. Marc Guillemot will be following in the footsteps of the great French sailor, Jules Dumont D’Urville, who explored these islands in 1839.
 

"Well what more can a girl ask for?  Clean knickers, chocolate and smellies. After a good baby wipe session I put on my Christmas knickers, changed my base layer and felt like a new woman. The smellies will have to wait until I am in the Atlantic again and the water is warm enough for them to be used! My Christmas dinner was absolutely delicious. This is real food in a packet, boil the kettle, add hot water, stir and wait ten minutes and magic. The only washing is a spoon as the packet goes in the bin! I did spend time speaking to friends and family and it was great to know they were all well. The day finished with a chat on the VHF. The last time the VHF heard voices was in the Atlantic and yet here was Brian Thompson calling me. I answered and then realised that he was about a mile and a half to leeward of me. It was a real treat for Christmas to have sailed all these thousands of miles and be alongside another boat talking to someone that I could almost see. He had just finished tackling his repairs and done a fantastic job so he was ready to tidy up and get sailing again. He was still to sleep and do his Christmas thing so I wished him well and was grateful to be so close to someone at this time despite being solo racing."

Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message
 

Four years ago, Conrad Humphreys was sailing to the south of Tasmania in the 2004-2005 Vendée Globe. Today, he is to the north of Tasmania taking part in the annual Sydney-Hobart Race on the 70-foot Australian boat, Ichi Ban, currently in third place.  Meanwhile, Pete Goss, who came fifth in the 1996 -97 Vendée Globe reached Cape Town yesterday in the first leg of his voyage from Cornwall to Australia on board a replica of a 37-foot traditional fishing lugger. 
 

"I hope that Father Christmas delivered to expectations, and that you have all eaten, drunk and watched too much Christmas TV.....Out here it is life as normal, trying to squeeze that extra half a knot of boat speed out of Roxy in less than ideal conditions.... oh well, that's the luck of the draw and I'm making the best I can! I was just having some "foie gras" on toast for lunch today and I noticed the little phrase on the packet "once opened keep refrigerated" It's a phrase which causes much anxiety normally, in temperate conditions, and one is challenged to find the coolest spot on board, and then quite often defeated into throwing the rest away for fear of food poisoning! I reflected on the phrase, realising it has not at all bothered me in the last few weeks....So does that mean I'm now living in a fridge?"
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message
 

«This morning I climbed the mast and managed to refit the port lazy jack. To deal with the starboard side, I climbed to within a metre of the second layer of spreaders, but failed, as it was too difficult and too risky. 30-35 knot winds, heavy seas, but the boat was pushing forward in these high winds. The boom and mainsail battens were damaged, the wind generator is broken and a large section of the solar panels on the coach roof are damaged. I'm finding it more and more difficult producing the energy I require. the boom and badly furled sail on the deck are blocking some of the solar panels. Still sailing under staysail. Both arms are hurting. Resting for the rest of the day. Sorry I didn't wish you a Happy Christmas earlier."
Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Océan Vital) by e-mail this morning 
 

"We finally passed the longitude of Cape Leeuwin, last night at approx 2000 utc.  The conditions have been horrendous for Christmas, wit the worst sea state I have ever seen.  The wind was 25 to 55 in the gusts again yesterday and I have really been struggling to keep the boat and myself in one piece.  Don’t know how to sail fast in these conditions – and that’s all I want to do, sail fast for home, and try catch up with the guys in front.  Have to say that I am having a really hard time at the moment, as I'm sure the others are too.  Just want to make some good progress towards home.  It wasn’t a great Christmas, but I know that I will make up for it big time when I get home.  Hopefully it can only get better!"
Jonny Malbon (Artemis)