Note:  Daily Vendee Globe reports will resume after the Christmas Holiday, on 27 December.

Rhythm of the Race Fast broad reaching as the fleet sails through a low pressure. 

Standings table 

Top 3

1.  Sill  49:2 South 125 East
2.  PRB 47:3 South 126:5 East + 27 miles 
3.  Kingfisher 53:5 South 116:3 East +185 miles

Fleet round up section

A new leader today in the form of Sill and skipper Roland
Jourdain. Sill's position slightlty more south of PRB has paid off in the form of a 27 mile lead. It is the first time Sill has been in the lead.

Also, for the first time in awhile Kingfisher shows on the leadeboard. Ellen Macarthur has taken an even farther south option, at 53°. 

Formerly in 3rd place, Sobedo  has dropped back.  Thomas Coville had a genniker tack blow out, and problems with his tillers.  During this he dislocated his thumb.

Skipper Communications

Thomas Coville Sobedo "...It’s so annoying that I fight so much to lose everything now. I have lost a lot of the boat’s potential. But I swore to myself I will never stop in front of Cap Leeuwin!”

Roland Jourdain Sill "Apparently I am leading the race now! I am not going to complain, it’s a good surprise. I believe Mich has gone a bit too North, i wonder if he has some problems or if it is a choice. The low pressure has joined the front last night, so I had to gybe. The front has passed and we have lots of squalls."

Dominique Wavre UBP "I don’t feel like we have started the serious stuff and the Indian Ocean has been kind to us apart to Yves. They are the kindest 40th and 50th I have ever met. It would be fantastic if we all arrive at the Cape Horn without any problem."

Ellen Macarthur Kingfisher "I'm sailing along with a front, these boats go so fast that we are basically keeping up with it, so until I gybe away to the north I'm stuck in it. Which if it weren't for Antartica ahead of me, it would be great! I do fancy going there though."

Current weather conditions 20 knots and above backing from West to WSW for the leaders.

Weather Forecast High pressure ridge may slow things.

What does it all mean

Finally, the southern option pays off.