Vendée Globe

The low pressure area to the south of Australia, which is reaching the frontrunners today is changing their situation dramatically. The leaders had to head quite some way south to stay with the westerlies from the previous low and delay the effects of the transition zone during the night. At the same time, those chasing them were able to make headway towards the east in strong northerlies without having to move southwards. The gaps at the front between the 6 leaders have therefore been reduced. Further west, Paprec will be experiencing the high that slowed down Roxy and Safran 36h ago. These two are now ahead of the next system with fairly strong northerlies (30/35 knots gusting to 45/50 knots) and were thus be able to accelerate away on Monday evening. Akena, Aviva and Pindar are in a transition phase between this system and the next with westerlies temporarily blowing between 20 and 25 knots. The following two groups are both under the influence of a fairly active low to their south. The winds averaging 40-50 knots, gusting to 65 - 70 knots are not favourable for racing, but demand the utmost caution.
Sylvain Mondon
Météo-France