"30 years ago I sailed downwind in the trades from the Canaries to Barbados.  I was impressed by how steady they were, in velocity, direction, and cloud  cover. Now, crossing these same trades, I'm impressed with how erratic they are, 12-28 knots of wind, direction varying by 25 degrees, cloud cover looking like an impending storm nearly always, It's totally different.  Last night, with 30+ knots across the deck, went to storm jib and 3 reefs. As I've commented before, our staysail is too big, and we can't carry it when we should be able to, so have to go down all the way, a huge leap to the storm jib. But with 30 knots, we were still making 10 knots, so it was ok. And it helped me get some rest to know that if a squall came through, I didn't have to suit up and jump on deck to deal with it. Actually got into the bunk for maybe the second time since Cape Horn, and slept for somewhere between 15 and 60 minutes, not sure, but it felt good. Of course at daybreak, the wind died, to 12 knots, and just when I was going into the bunk for nap #2, had to go put away the storm jib and roll out the staysail, so that pretty much wakes you up for the day.  Working on fluids, food, and rest. More of the same for the next couple of  days, then a very strange and complex weather scenario to try to negotiate."

Rich Wilson (Great American III) in his daily message

Arnaud Boissières (Akéna Vérandas) is set to arrive on Sunday. According to his latest calculations, he is likely to finish early in the afternoon. As for Steve White (Toe in the Water), he is looking foward to arriving back in les Sables d'Olonne on Tuesday. We will keep you informed here of their latest ETAs… Keep watching this space.

"35 knots across deck, staysail and three reefs in main.  May reduce to storm jib for night, too much sail now going across these seas. Tried storm jib earlier.  Slowed considerably, but  now more wind, we'll see. Difficult weather pattern in days to come with big lows and multiple highs separated and out of position.  Not looking favorable for us at the moment, with strong headwinds forecast for after we get across these strong trades.  Not looking forward to that.  Making about 9 knots. That's ok for the night I think. Maybe it will allow me to get some sleep.  The indescribable pounding has not stopped, of course. It has diminished a bit, and when the wind slows, we slow a lot, but maybe it will be better for the boat."

Rich Wilson (Great American III) in his daily message

Dee Caffari, who, by completing her Vendée Globe on 16th February, became the first woman to sail solo non stop both ways around the world, will be bringing Aviva up the River Thames on Monday 2nd March. She will be leaving from Greenwich at two in the afternoon and sailing up under Tower Bridge to dock alongside HMS President at 17h30 GMT. For the moment, however, she is still in Les Sables and tomorrow will be talking live to Arnaud Boissières during the radio session. A chance to see how good his French lessons were…

Safran will be leaving les Sables d’Olonne tomorrow (Friday) at 7h30 local time, towed behind the motor catamaran Royale, which will take her to La Trinité-sur-Mer. She is due to arrive there in the afternoon after a delivery trip expected to last 7 to 8 hours in fine weather: flat calm seas and a ten knot north easterly wind are forecast.

On Tuesday, the mast will be removed, and she will be taken out of the water and pushed into the boatyard by the Safran Sailing Team, where she will stay for around two months. «We shall be emptying her completely, removing all the ropes, examining the rudders and deck hardware, redoing the composites, where that may be necessary. In other words we’re talking about a thorough service,» explained Thierry Brault, the Team Manager.

There is a long list of work to do, although the most important jobs will involve the keel and mast, as well as a general overhaul that is required after sailing around the world. As for the keel, the team has already set to work on making a new bulb in Spain and Thierry Eluère’s yard has been given the job of making the head for Safran’s original keel. «All of that will be carried out while Guillaume Verdier works on other solutions and I think that by 2010 we shall have a completely new keel, added Thierry. As for the mast, we shall be taking a good look at the one that has just been all the way around the world, but we may decide to fit the other mast that the team has at its disposal, the one that Safran used in the Transat Jacques Vabre.»
The whole refit should be completed to allow Safran to be relaunched in late April or early May.
 

All good things must come to an end and after 105 days of live radio link-ups with the skippers, the final radio session of this sixth Vendée Globe will take place on Sunday 22nd February. However, we have not forgotten those skippers still at sea and will be in contact with them every three days. The recorded conversation will then be made available online in the media (Audio) section.