Vendée Globe

The first very active area of low pressure is passing to the south of the competitors at the rear of the fleet today.  The strong NW'ly winds are backing SW'ly and rapidly moving eastwards with the associated low circulating at 50°S.  The winds are stronger in this system than in the previous ones, as the system is around 10 degrees further north (the previous ones were around 60°S). Thus, the strong winds are stretching further north and affecting more boats.
When the severe gales reach the middle of the fleet on Saturday afternoon, the next one will be reaching the competitors furthest west.  This new low will be even further north: at 45S at the longitude of Africa. Both systems will continue to be felt a long way across the Indian Ocean and will even affect the high to the SW of Australia on Sunday and Monday.
Sylvain Mondon
Météo-France