Rhythm of the Race A bit slower than recently, lots of 10's in the boat speed column.

Standings table 

Top 3

1.  PRB 53 South 105 West
2.  Kingfisher 53 South 117 West + 372  miles 
3.  Sill  55 South 120 West +435 miles

Fleet round up section

Despite his problems Michel Desjoueaux has launched off the front of the fleet to a considerable lead.  He's now 372 miles out on 2nd place Kingfisher.

Currently Desjoyeaux is 4 knots faster than those he's- for now- left behind.  By virtue of being the front runner he hooked first into WSW winds which allow him to surf fast downwind.  The others are still in west or slightly NW winds, which are not as good of an angle.

Skipper Communications

Ellen Macarthur Kingfisher "As I type there is less movement in Kingfisher than we have had for a long time. She slides gracefully along under spinnaker in a light downwind breeze. The moon is out, and is getting close to being full, and there are stars filling the sky - a site that I have rarely seen down here."

Bernard Gallay Voila Fr. "I have been doing manoeuvres 24h/24 in the last two weeks! I try to make the best speed as I can withthe boat, I try not to think about the positions...just like if wasn’t racing any more."

Dominique Wavre UBP "I am desesperatly trying to get away from the calms who follow me! I don’t feel like I am racing, i’ve tried for 15 days to avoid those calms... my main question is: Am I fast enough to avoid the calms."

Catherine Chabaud Whirlpool "No wind at all! I have been in this dead wind zone for many days! and now it’s not getting better!"

Marc Thiercelin Active Wear "I thought the Vendée Globe fleet would always be close but I didn’t expect to see new boats escaping like they are doing ahead!. Sill and Kingfisher are good boats upwind, that’s what worries me for later...Four years ago, Christophe Auguin was doing his third round the world race, and me it was my first! Now it’s my third."

Current Weather WSW for the leader, more northerly for those chasing.

Weather Forecast Strong following winds continue

What does it all mean

The leaders are still above Cape Horn and will need to descend.  This could provide an opportunity for catch up on PRB.