Seb Josse (BT) shows the way out

9:54 AM Sun 30 Nov 2008 GMT

'Raphael Dinelli heading for Trinadad with sail problem' ? Jacques Vapillon / DPPI / Vend?e Globe

For the leading bunch of the Vendee Globe, the anticyclone which has dominated racing for the past days seems to finally be behind them, with the centre of the high currently to the north-east of the front group. Seb Josse (BT) is showing the exit route, currently heading on an easterly track, with Loick Peyron (Gitana Eighty) about eight miles behind him.

Meanwhile, Rapha?l Dinelli discovered yesterday afternoon that the cover of his mainsail halyard had separated from the halyard, rendering him unable to either hoist or lower the main - he currently has two reefs in. Fondation Oc?an Vital (22nd place) is currently heading for the island of Trindade, some 100 miles away, in order to try and carry out repairs safely in the shelter of the island.

After the past week's continual southerly sailing, the skippers still have to gain some miles to the south - the waypoint for the first gate is around 150 miles south of their current position - but as the front tracks east the skippers have picked up the first westerlies to make ground towards Africa.

Behind this leading duo there have been few major surprises. Mike Golding (Ecover, GBR) continues to follow their line in ninth place, about 65 miles back, while the main group of Yann Elies, Vincent Riou, Jean-Pierre Dick, Roland Jourdain and Armel Le Cleac'h are still tightly packed, just 25 miles apart.

Jean Le Cam (VM Mat?riaux), who took the more easterly route, is now sailing south to try and converge with the leaders, whilst out on the west Safran (Marc Guillemot) is also heading south.

As the distances to the leader start to increase again among the first rank of challengers, it is the second half of the fleet who are currently gaining miles - the biggest wins yet again going to Bernard Stamm (SUI) who has posted another 300-plus mile 24 hours to overtake Unai Basurko (ESP), to move up to 19th.

Rich Wilson (USA) has also overhauled the Basque skipper in this morning's update. And in 25th place, Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (Groupe Maisonneuve) has almost caught Derek Hatfield (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada).

Vendee Globe positions - 05:00 HRS GMT. Sunday 30 November(FRA, unless stated)

1- Seb Josse (BT) at 19334 miles to the finish

2- Lo?ck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) at + 8.7 miles

3-Yann Elies (Generali) at + 36.4 miles

4-Armel Le Cl?ac'h (Brit Air) at + 47.3 miles to leader

5-Jean le Cam (VM Mat?riaux) at + 48.8 miles to leader

Selected International

9- Mike Golding, GBR, (ECOVER 3) at + 66 miles

11- Dominique Wavre, SUI, (Temenos 2) at + 190.7 miles

12- Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) at + 197.4 miles

13- Sam Davies, GBR, (ROXY) at + 227.4 miles

15- Dee Caffari, GBR, (AVIVA) at + 350.1 miles

17- Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) at +582.5 miles

18 - Johnny Malbon, GBR, (Artemis) at + 652.5 miles

19- Bernard Stamm, SUI, (Chemin?es Poujoulat) at + 738.7 miles

20- Rich Wilson, USA, (Great America III) at + 750.5 miles

21- Unai Basurko, ESP, (Pakea Bizkaia) at + 763.7 miles

23- Norbert Sedlacek, AUT, (Nauticsport-Kapsch) at + 1276.2 miles

24- Derek Hatfield, CAN, (Algimouss Spirit of Canada) at + 1464,5 miles

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Seb Josse (BT) shows the way out

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