“Made 8 sail changes after I reached ice gate. Dodged a big bullet for now with offside topmast runner getting hooked around second spreader, with shock cord that is supposed to prevent that, stretching and allowing it, and then holding it there. Can't gybe. Brought runners forward, swinging violently to try to unhook. In past, happened once before, in big wind, wind stretches shock cord and allows you to yank it free on the right roll,. but not now w/less wind, was at reacher and one reef, rolled reacher up, went to 2 reefs and then 3 reefs for control, all the while fearing the worst, have to try to climb up there to unhook it, or at least to 2nd spreader to cut the shock cord system that doesn't work. Tried detaching topmast runner from runner group and swinging separately, no go, then thought one more idea, bring main into middle, grind it tight to support mast, then release the windward runners. Very very dangerous, but had rolled up reacher so no sails. It worked, runner released on off side from spreader tip. I scrambled to get those runners back and snugged so they wouldn't hook again, then diving across the cockpit to the windward runner to put it on again. So until and unless I get aloft to cut that shock cord off, we are in danger of hooking that topmast runner. If it hooks, and goes unnoticed, then you gybe or tack and bring on the runner with it hooked around the spreader, it will break the spreader and the mast will come down. When I did this operation, I had on long underwear with foul weather gear on top and the helmet without a stocking cap. When I finished, I was sweating so much I couldn't see out of one eye for the salt sweat in it, and long underwear was just dripping puddles, drank an entire quart of gatorade in 30 seconds afterward, just exhausted.”

Rich Wilson (Great American III) in his daily message
 

“As predicted, today has been a day of very light winds. In fact, I think I got my record slowest speed with an average of 2.78 knots for 4 hours! I am not proud of that at all. It has been pretty frustrating, and very very tiring, being fully concentrated on sail trim and course changes to try to keep going as fast as possible in the conditions. It is impossible to get rest when it is like this! So, I made the most of a dry deck (very rare in this race) and got to work with the sikaflex to seal up the worst my leaks. I'm not proud of the aesthetics of my job, but I think it will be effective! When the swell had calmed down a bit, I climbed up my mast to do a quick check, which was quick, as the sails flogging around made it pretty hard to hang on! But the few things that I wanted to take a look at were all OK, which is very reassuring! Now the sea temperature is good, I can have a shower at the end of a tough day, and Roxy is now back on track at 10 knots boat speed. And now for the best news of the day: I had my CHRISTMAS DINNER today! Finally it was calm enough to cook and serve the special Langoustine Bisque that Romain had given me for Christmas dinner. It was delicious, with croutons aux algues (hopefully not the kind I found on my keel) and "la rouille", even though the presentation left a little to be desired - it was served in a tupperware box, with a plastic spoon!”
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message
 

“A beautiful night with clear skies, stars and a moon gave some good sailing. Fortunately the wind has been consistent and is allowing us some direct sailing, making good ground north. A sign of being back in the Atlantic was seeing two large offshore fishing trawlers last night. I have not seen another vessel since heading south in the Atlantic apart from Pindar and Akena, so it was quite exciting to see life. They were trawling with a stream of thousands of birds following them. It was quite a sight. Sunday really has lived up to being a day of rest. I had a lie in, then a hearty breakfast and then have been chilling out in a horizontal position for most of the day. Sponged a bit of water chucked on deck a couple of times but generally I have not done a great deal and Aviva has done her best at looking after me. She has been sailing well and fast and we have enjoyed the afternoon blue skies with a cup of tea.”
Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message
 

“Fantastic sailing on board Bahrain Team Pindar this afternoon as the wind has started to appear and push me fast towards the finish at least as far as Buenos Aires. Last night I fixed the engine problem that I had, which was caused by the clutch sticking on the engine driven hydraulic pump. This was overheating and causing the burning smell I had earlier. To repair it, I had to ease the clutch away from the engine, and then cut some shim plate and use it to keep the clutch away from the engine by just 2mm. Now working on the open port iridium communication system and the wind generator.”

“Happily the solar panels are really kicking in some power in the bright Southern hemisphere sun and clear air. I would be really keen on working on the alternative energy sources for this boat. It is particularly applicable to a really long race like the Vendee, where it adds redundancy, saves weight and reduces our carbon footprint. With a combination of the latest technology solar panels, wind generators, and a specially developed water generator off the transom it could provide all the power needed. It has been interesting to see what an impact the alternative energy has made to our fuel consumption on this trip, I think I am taking less than half the fuel of most boats.”

“Earlier today I had to stop for 20 minutes to clear weed from the keel and the leeward rudder. There are lots of clumps of heavy kelp around, probably broken free during storms from the Falkland islands. I rolled the gennaker, trimmed in the mainsail, eased off the mast rotator and runners and spun the boat into the wind. It soon weathercocked head to wind and started to go backwards. I saw the kelp come off the rudder and a little bit float away from the keel. I went down to the bow and looked underwater with the endoscope, there was still kelp on the keel, that had somehow wrapped itself around the keel fin. I was pondering whether I would have to go swimming in the 9 degree water, as I went head to wind again and then tried sailing off on starboard. Luckily for me, that did the trick, and the weed had gone when I checked again”

Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) in his daily message
 

"Another calm day, but that doesn’t worry me. Today I carried out an inventory of my food supplies and I have enough for at least 70 more days. I spent the day filming, taking pictures and tidying up. Worked a bit on the book and thought things over. It was really my first relaxing, calm day at sea, which I really enjoyed, as I didn’t have other things on my mind. I think that is fine as there will be tougher days ahead."
Norbert Sedlacek (Nauticsport-Kapsch) in his daily message from last night
 

"Today has been a peaceful day in the South Atlantic. With a light wind and a flat sea, the decks have remained dry and Roxy has been full main + solent for the first time in weeks! It is so nice to be able to go on deck without oilskins and boots, and to be able to move around without risk of being catapulted off balance! I have managed to get some rest, go through my check-list, and also some maintenance and running repairs such as splicing work to repair my chaffed reef lines. Roxy has been drying out and so have my oilskins (at last!)I have also spent a fair amount of time pouring over weather files, none of which say the same thing. I have concluded that the next few days will be complicated, frustrating and a little slow. I need to cross my fingers, whistle for the wind and trust my feelings! Right now Roxy is gliding along happily under the starry night and I'm going to set my alarm for 90 minutes and get some "zeds" whilst the conditions allow..."
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message