Vendée Globe

The leaders have now been overtaken by the first cold front in the Forties, so they are currently sailing in fairly unstable 15-20 knot westerlies in heavy seas.  However, this is only a temporary easing off of the wind for the leaders. In fact, the gales associated with the thundery low from the Brazilian coast will be affecting the rear of the fleet on Wednesday and later tonight, before reaching the leaders from the west on Thursday afternoon.
These gale accompanied by violent thunderstorms passed in front of the bow of Fondation Ocean Vital during the night and now concerns all the boats further south.  With N to NW'ly winds averaging 30 to 40 knots (force 7 to 8) the gusts are expected to reach 45 to 55 knots in the squalls in this area.
The NW wind will strengthen tonight and tomorrow morning to reach 50 to 60 knot gusts. This strengthening wind in the Forties is due to hot air arriving from Brazil and a cold front circulating to their south, which is very active and is moving eastwards. The cold front resulting from this confrontation will affect the leaders on Thursday depending on the longitude of the competitors.

Sylvain Mondon
Météo-France