Roland Jourdain still gains by virtue of the fact he is in the trade winds while Michel Desjoyeaux is slowed by the influence of the Azores High Pressure system which he is passing to the west of. Jourdain is 492 miles behind Foncia.
Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): Making good headway, but trade wind is very strange as fluctuating and seas are still tossing him around. Down to 15 knots now whereas a few minutes ago, he had 28 knots. Very dull grey skies as if he was back home. Still hearing cracking sounds, but not worried, as healthy expansion/contraction. Thinks there has been a lot of progress in eight years on autopilots. Getting more and more skilled at setting them correctly. More progress to come with new software. The sensors are a key element now in reliability of autopilot.
Asked if winning this Vendee Globe is Mission Impossible? How can I reply to that? Mathematically it is looking increasingly difficult. I don’t wish any damage on Desjoyeaux, but you never know.
Marc Guillemot (Safran) Got some sleep during the night, but has been very tiring for past few days and still feels exhausted. A few hours ago torrential rain and then wind died away, so had more work to do. Keeping speed down sailing upwind as does not want to put too much pressure on repairs. Not able to hoist as much sail as he would like. After the Doldrums expecting better conditions. Has moved away from oil rigs and fishermen. Yesterday up to 30 miles from the coast he saw lots of boats. Then, in evening some fishermen guided him past their long line. But now further out to sea has more space to sail without worrying about obstacles. The line of squalls is now to his SW, so thinks he has left that behind.
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) 10-15 knots of easterly wind, so slowed down. Some nice sunshine though and perfect drying weather. Will be hoisting more sail, as the day progresses. Thinks the wind forecasts look good for the days ahead. Thinking of finish, but aware that a lot can happen, so trying to stop thinking about it. Has raised his daggerboard to ensure he doesn’t hit something at this stage of the race. For the future, will profit from lessons learnt in particular after his problem at Christmas. Some minor changes to make inside too. Would like better vision of what is ahead from inside. For him his monastic interior hasn’t worried him and this lightweight approach is important in such a race. He stressed that he is cautious mode, as already 18 boats out of the race and he doesn’t want to join them.
Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) Pleased to be back in the Northern Hemisphere after 63 days in Southern Hemisphere. Lots of nice places. Colour of sky impressive – a bit like Brittany in the spring after the showers. Nice to spot land like Falklands or Fernando de Noronha the day before yesterday. Knows names from maps and now has seen them. Would like to take his time and stop and visit Pacific Islands another time. To respect tradition glass of champagne to celebrate yesterday and wanted to thank Neptune, as rapidly through Doldrums. Squalls not very violent. Wind is in the right direction and so boat progressing well. Still very hot aboard Brit Air- like a sauna.