You can view the only pictures available of the upturned VM Matériaux, which were sent back by Vincent Riou yesterday afternoon by clicking here.
 

"I'm thinking of Jean Le Cam, who capsized near Cape Horn. 18 years ago, we capsized in our 60-foot trimaran, Great American very near the same position. I have heard that he has shown signs of life: that is great news! I'm really thinking of him."

Rich Wilson (Great American III) by e-mail yesterday evening 
 

At 20h10 (UTC) you will be able to hear us talking (in French) to Vincent Riou and then at 20h20 (UTC) to Armel Le Cléac'h.  We will bring you a summary of what they say later this evening

Vincent Riou will be reaching VM Matériaux at around 14h30 GMT, and Armel Le Cléac’h should arrive thirty minutes or so later. The two sailors will then be focussing on one goal: getting in contact with Jean Le Cam to get a reaction from him. The hope is to obtain some sign of life, as it would appear that Jean did not hear the foghorn of the oil tanker, which has been positioned alongside the upturned Lombard designed VM Matériaux since this morning.

The French authorities are in contact with the Chilean authorities

The MRCC have asked the tanker to remain on the spot, which it will now be doing. In addition, two extra boats have become involved in the rescue operation: a fishing boat located 120 miles from VM Matériaux is diverting to the area, and a Chilean naval tug has also been dispatched. It should be in the area in 14 hours time.
Philippe Etienne, the Cabinet Secretary to the French Foreign Secretary, with whom the organisers are in contact, is awaiting the imminent arrival of the report from the plane pilot, who flew over VM Matériaux this afternoon.

"It is strange to be torn between wanting to go fast and catch up the others in front, and really needing to slow down to get the pilot calibrated in order to be able to go fast! It is really nice up here at these higher latitudes - quite warm and often sunny. The shrimps seem to think so to, there are countless millions of them, and every wave brings dozens onto the deck, and usually they leave again on the next one, but if not they can survive for ages under a bit of damp string, and they are big enough to pick up and throw back if you find them stranded! All the bad weather seems to be lurking around below our latitude at the moment, which is a welcome respite from the beatings we had in the Indian Ocean. I had a good look at the islands in the South Pacific earlier today, and I must admit I can see exactly why Bernard Moitessier decided to go around again and then stop there, they do look ideal and it would be a perfectly natural thing to do. Still, this is not the time and neither is this the ideal boat to go messing about near reefs - I will have to wait until my racing days are over and the kids have left home, not that I want either of those things to happen in a hurry! In some ways all of those adventures happened in a simpler time I'd have loved to have been around in, but I must admit an IMOCA 60 is more fun and arguably more fit for purpose than a thirty foot plywood trimaran!"
Steve White (Toe in the Water) in his daily message
 

One week after officially pulling out of the competition due to rudder damage, Sébastien Josse (BT) reached New Zealand and the safe waters of Viaduct Basin in Auckland yesterday January 5 at 23.45 GMT.
"Of course, it's great to see the guys from the team, and I really enjoy their welcome, but I can't help thinking that my former rivals in the race have now rounded Cape Horn and are now on the last stretch, headed for home. I was really anxiously waiting to be back in the Atlantic because I knew I could potentially make great gains there: I wanted that tactical battle. I was waiting for my time to come, and it's hard to be watching the game from the touchline. Looking at the bright side of things, we have a boat in one piece. I have spent a week taking notes on what can be optimised and made better for the 2009 season. I've learnt a lot once more, and at least proved that I was right up there with the best of the fleet, both in terms of speed and tactics. I'll be back on the water very soon... but right now, what I want is a haircut, a nice shower, a decent meal and a good night in a real bed!"