Rhythm of the Race 1st 8 boats over 10 knots from EBP/Gartmore at 10.2 knots to Kingfisher at 16 knots.

Standings table 

Top 3

1.  PRB 53 South 124 West
2.  Sill 56 South 132 West + 189  miles 
3.  Kingfisher 53 South 132 West +252 miles

Fleet round up section

PRB has had a very solid 24 hours gaining 50 and 100 miles on 2nd and 3rd.  Despite a less than ideal electrical situation, Michel Desjoyeaux sails on.  Once he hits the Atlantic he should go upwind which will help his wind generator, and also gain sun light as heads north which will aid his solar panels.  Michel says, "It¹ll be just like doing a Figaro race, but for 8 days."

Sill has regained 2nd place, despite some breakage.  Kingfisher is back in 3rd, but is fastest of the 3 at last report.

The courses of the leaders are quite divergent today.  PRB is steering 029, Sill 041 and Kingfisher 102 degrees.  Kingfisher took a jog north to get on the north side of a low pressure.  Apparently the two Frenchmen ahead want to also get north a bit.  Could be a gain if Kingfisher sails a more direct course at high speed, while the other boats sail a diagonal to the desired course.

Skipper Communications

Josh Hall EBP-Gartmore "The lighter weather has given me a chnace to do some maintenance on the motor and check everything else, all of which appears to be fine. I have just eaten an enormous chilli and rice and I am lying down for a rest after it!!!"

Catherine Chabaud Whirlpool "I want to know what’s happening in the world, on land, so I download the AFP website, I look at the infos on internet... There are many moments where there is not much to do, I am glad I have books to read. You can never escape from the boat, but you can escape when you read."

Roland Jourdain Sill "was on the phone with Gaël Le Cléach (technical manager of the boat, ed.’s note) when I heard a big boom. I jumped on the and saw that the gennaker was in the water. It is probably the block on which the upper part of the sail was fixed who broke. I stopped the boat and dropped the mainsail, to bring the sail back on board. Apparently it’s not tore but I will have to check it all later as it’s night time now."

Ellen Macarthur Kingfisher "The Southern Ocean is unique. It wants everything. When you have nothing left, it wants twice as much again. I will be happy to get in to the Atlantic Ocean. "

Current weather conditions Last report showed top 3 boats with winds of 35 to 50 knots.  Skippers indicate winds go up and down in velocity rapidly.

Weather Forecast Huge low pressure covers the track meaning winds should stay strong.

What does it all mean

For the leaders about a week left in punishing downwind conditions.  They now begin preparation for transiting the notorious area around Cape Horn.