Sliding south to the roadblock

 Last night was another difficult one. Even under a brilliant full moon it was hard to spot the wind shifts and changes. Perhaps having remained consistently east, further from the high pressure has worked for Briton Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE). He is back in the lead again this morning and has been consistently quicker through the early hours to now have Nico Lunven (HOLCIM-PRB) some 17 miles behind and Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) in third 45 miles behind. 
Winds have been around seven to 10 knots, gliding along, once more foils sometimes being more of an encumbrance than an asset. 

First in first out?

 

Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) reported in the night from 16th place, the furthest west boat along with Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE), “The position further West, I have the impression that's where you have to go, but I have the impression there is not much in it, I thought that there would be a lot more boats setting off further West! It's just that I think that the weather situation is going to be a little more favorable in the West, even if I actually think that there is not much that is going to be much more favorable, we are in a weather situation that is really complicated because that depression was really created by Gibraltar, generated strong wind, and is now a stationary depression that breaks the trade wind, so it prevents the trade wind from forming in its South and it is quite complicated to find wind! Now we know that we are going to spend three days with very little wind, we will see how it goes even if I think that we are going to find ourselves very close. There will necessarily be the East West positions that will play a role, but the ability to go quickly in light airs that will help. And finally, always a bit of luck for sure will help, I hope that this phase will not generate too many gaps if it does not go very well for some of us.” 

Slow going 

But for the meantime it is, for the fast foilers relatively slow going. But the fight goes on, the leaders hoping it will be a ‘first in, first out’ situation. Former leader  Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) has been clocked at less than 10 knots on average over the last four hours, no doubt frustrated to see the hard driving Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée, 6th) who was third on the last Vendée Globe come back to be just 10 miles from his stern, and Swiss ace Justine Mettraux (Teamwork - Team SNEF, 7th) now at 20 miles behind him, the double Transatlantic winner Richomme losing the miles rather than these two – among others – making gains. But for sure the compression of the fleet will continue today. 

Solid 

Italy’s Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian) continues to make a solid opening to his second Vendée Globe in 14th just behind Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitaine en Provence), with Sam Davies in 15th on Initiatives-Coeur). Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur-Duo for A Job) is still top daggerboard boat in 17th on a median course whilst the wily Jean Le Cam (Tout commence en Finistère-Armor Lux) is closest to the Canaries followed by Conrad Colman (MS Amlin), the New Zealand who has also favoured the east since passing east and south of Madeira.