Vendée Globe

Since the start of the week, Foncia has been sailing in the NE'ly trade winds. After a quieter day on Tuesday, they are once again stronger blowing at 20-25 knots and gusting to 30 knots in squalls. This is set to continue for the leader for the next few days as he approaches the Azores high from the SW.
At the same time, Veolia is getting out of the Doldrums, the effect of which can continue to be felt with many thundery squalls. Once the squalls have disppeared, the situation will not however be any simpler as on her way out of the ITCZ, asVeolia will be facing NNE'ly trade winds blowing at only 12-14 knots.
Further south, Brit Air, still some 200 miles from the Doldrums, is also experiencing thundery squalls, which is not helping her progress as the SE'ly trade winds are fading away to 12-14 knots.
Further south still, Safran and Roxy are on the southern edge of a ridge of high pressure from the St.Helena high, where they are subject to thunderstorms, although these will ease off on Friday. Pindar and Aviva are on the other side of this area of thundery activity, which they will be passing through in the next few days.
Akena closer to the continent is near the stationary high-pressure area, which will be in her path for the coming days.
Toe in the water has been experiencing the passage of a cold front associated with a low-pressure area since rounding the Horn. The northerly wind will be fairly strong with gusts reaching 40/45 knots on Thurs afternoon and during the night.
Great American III is on her way to the Horn in a transition zone with moderate winds (15 to 25 knots) and these will remain with her until Saturday morning.
Nauticsport Kapsch and Fondation Ocean Vital are sailing to the west of a ridge of high pressure, which has been blocking them for several days, but gradually the way through will appear, as the ridge is weakening under the influence of a cold front from the west.