Rhythm of the Race Again a mixed bag of conditions with variations of 5 knots in speed.  Sill is fastest at 14.9 knots.

Standings table 

Top 3

1.  PRB 33South 30 West
2.  Kingfisher 36 South 38 West + 305 miles 
3.  Active Wear  40 South 36 West +516 miles

Fleet round up section

Day 69 another day in the constantly changing cycle of around the world solo racing.  The facet of the cycle is still for the followers to gain on the leaders.  In the last 24 hours Kingfisher has gained 34 miles and Active Wear 27 miles.  Once again PRB is slower than either of those boats.

Yves Parlier's jury rigged Aquitaine Innovations is the fastest boat in its pack.  Yves and 3 other sailors range from 4400 to 6400 miles back of the leader.  Parlier is sailing at 9.5 knots.

Skipper Communications

Ellen Macarthur Kingfisher "Its not looking so good right now. I’m stuck in between two systems, trying to stay ahead of the South American cold front that lies between them. On one side its downwind sailing which is not great for us in our present situation [sail options], and the other side there is nothing. The high pressure ahead looks like it will soon stretch from South America to Africa, with little wind below it and trade winds above it. So I'm pretty nervous about what will happen. If I run the routing software for all the boats it suggests we’ll all be at a similar latitude in a few days time...except for Mich who might escape it. Its not going to be very easy."

Simone Bianchetti Aquarelle.com "I’ve been writing poetry for ages. I have a pencil and paper in my oilskin pockets. When inspiration hits, I write. I reckon I’ll arrive at Cape Horn in 12 days, possibly even 10."

Didier Munduteguy DDP - 60ème Sud "Even if I stay out here for 120 days, to be in the ‘Cape Horn Club’ will be undoubtably an exceptional moment. I’m doing the Vendée Globe to pass the three great Capes and I want to succeed."

Thomas Coville Sobedo "At the end of yesterday I was sailing at 18 knots under spinnaker and full main sail, with the helm between my knees eating a bowl of food…what a dream moment! I am reborn at those moments and I just forget the rankings and tell myself to get the boat home and enjoy the sailing."

Roland Jourdain Sill ". Dominique (Wavre), Sodebo and myself are going to get nearer but beyond that I want to be permanently up there. Ellen and Michel are going to slow down but they’ll get going again soon before us."


Catherine Chabaud Whirlpool "I passed Cape Horn over Wednesday night to Thursday morning. I could still make out it’s shape, like a phantom in the darkness. It was quite a busy time because it was windy, and I had to avoid a cargo ship and also the rocks surrounding the cape. I was less than 4 miles from the headland, and this cargo ship was the first boat I’d seen since the Bay of Biscay."

Bernard Gallay Voila Fr. "My chat with Patrice yesterday was rather amusing. First words: "So, what time did you gybe? – Exactly 2 hours ago. And you? – I gybed about 2 hours 50 minutes ago. Well, we’re really synchronised aren’t we!! – Yes, but I’m not happy with this new tack, I might gybe back again in a while. – Me also, I was just thinking the same thing before calling you!"

Current Weather Wind moves from SW Force 4 to NW Force 2 to 3 as you follow the fleet north to south, from 5th to 1st.

Weather Forecast PRB could start making gains tomorrow.  Desjoyeaux should have beam winds, while his followers sail at a more downwind angle.

What does it all mean

If you look at Ellen Macarthur's weather analysis above, she believes the current cycle may end by tomorrow.  Once gain Desjoyeayx could benefit from his lead position and shoot ahead as the rubber band affect allows him to escape while his pursuers sit.