"Today I inspected the diesel tanks and pumped 55 l diesel. I had to do it by hand as the electric pump flooded. By the end the hand pump was leaking, so I had to try to clean everything up, as the stench of diesel inside is dreadful. I also began to clean my fruit cans. I have around twenty of them and they have been in the bilge oil and water. The switch on the bilge pump wasn’t working, so I repaired that too. I thought about climbing the mast, but with the rain and gusts, it is not wise to get up there. It can wait for a few days, until I'm in the Doldrums. According to the latest forecasts, I could get through without any hold ups, but we shall see. Around 500 miles left to the Equator, so by Tuesday, we should be there!"

Norbert Sedlacek (Nauticsport-Kapsch) in his daily message yesterday evening

Before going off on holiday with his family, Michel Desjoyeaux has been talking about his future projects. The skipper of Foncia ,"I'm trying to find ways to use my experience to try to resolve problems in other sports. For example, I'm in contact with a sports federation where it may be possible to transfer our technologies. With Mer Agitée, I'd like to work too on new technologies to improve wheel chairs, making them of carbon, which is of course, much lighter. I've been thinking about this for a long time in particular with a friend who is in a wheel chair... I'd really like to help people working in that area. This is important to me and I've already come up with a few sketches… I'm also working with my partner FONCIA about what comes after 2009… »

"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…