Jean-Pierre Dick ("St Michel Virbac"): "The wind wasn't as strong last night, but it shifted to the left. I should be able to get more out of the boat that way. To look on the bright side: The boat is in good condition. But I've been left behind by the leaders. I hope things will change again and we will have an advantage at another point in the race"
Sébastien Josse ("Edmond de Rothschild"): "I haven't changed course like ArmeI, who sails a bow. (...) With every Vendée it gets worse and worse: in my first one I still had a comfortable bed, but now it's really uncomfortable and it's hardly possible to sleep at all. When the boat is sailing at more than 18 or 19 knots, it's difficult to even move below deck. It's very noisy and impossible to sleep with all the bumps, much less comfortable than in a multihull. I didn't really notice the equator, I was so tired. (...) Since the start, we haven't had to sail in a really strong low. It's been more like a transatlantic crossing so far. Down in the 30s it's going to be a real awakening, with really strong winds we'll have to do things differently. I've already broken two props, but we haven't had any really heavy seas yet. We'll see what happens in our first real storm. We are already at the limit of the boats."
The loud humming of the foils can be clearly heard in the video from on board. Like many other skippers, Josse now wears "noise cancellation" headphones to block out the noise.
Alex Thomson ("Hugo Boss"): "It's a bit bumpy at the moment. I'm just looking at the statistics. It's pretty impressive to be sailing on a boat that averages 22 knots in 16/17 knots of wind. The wind has shifted a bit to the left, so 'Hugo Boss' is a bit faster. It's going to get a bit weaker again before we have three or four really fast days towards the Cape of Good Hope. I couldn't be better positioned for that. The low is developing to the south of us and I'll probably be able to stay ahead of it. I think only the lead group will be able to follow the low.
And I think Seb (Sébastien Josse, editor) is right: it will be the first real acid test for the boats. We will probably be travelling in 120 to 125 degrees of true wind angle and 23 to 26 knots. The swell will decide how fast we can sail the boats. To be honest: In flat water, my boat could reach over 30 knots average speed in such conditions. With waves, I don't think it will be much more than the 22 to 24 that it already is. I will prepare the boat, clean it, stow it well and try to sleep as much as possible. I still need to laminate a little something and make sure my sailing wardrobe is optimised for the strong winds. I want to be sure I'm fresh to hit the turbo button when the wind comes. Then we'll find out how strong these boats really are."
Armel Le Cléac'h ("Banque Populaire VIII")Alex Thomson is fast! He's in attack mode. But there's still a long way to go. I sail my own route. I don't really look at the average speed. I'm focussing on the potential of my boat. There's still a lot to come. Alex had a nice Doldrums passage. I have to keep up the pace so as not to be left behind. Everything is fine on board, there are no problems. I'm trying to get some more rest, but it's really hot in the boats. You're sweating all the time. When the sun goes down, I'll try to get some sleep."
In the meantime, the peloton has come close to the low, Alex Thomson has been able to extend his lead to over 90 miles, but is also sailing further west than his nearest pursuers. Tomorrow should see the start of the rough ride through the Southern Ocean.
Video summary of yesterday's event from Vendee TV
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
