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10:32 AM Sun 11 Jan 2009 GMT
British soloist Sam Davies in fourth place is set to round Cape Horn sometime between 10:00hrs and 11:00hrs this morning, close to perfect timing for the live visio-conference at today's vendeeglobe.org daily broadcast.
Davies should be able to cast off some of the pressures of the last 48 hours, making quite a difficult approach to the legendary seafarer's milestone. With winds up to 45 knots, big seas and some accurate navigation required, she was also due to pass within 25 miles of the capsized, abandoned VM Mat?riaux.
Sailing downwind she reported this morning that she has spent long periods on deck because of the demands of the weather conditions, the need to make regular manoeuvres and the off-lying islands.
She has positively thrived in the Southern Ocean, which she will bid 'adieu' to today, and has already expressed a desire - albeit 'medium term' - to return to these hostile waters, especially enjoying the long surfs of the Pacific Ocean.
In her wake, Marc Guillemot (Safran) is still achieving the best average speeds in spite of the handicap of having to sail with three reefs in the main.
Michel Desjoyeaux seems to have escaped from the clutches of the high-pressure area and if this proves to be the case, Roland Jourdain would have reason to be worried. For the skipper of Veolia Environnement, there is the possibility of heading northwards to find stronger winds, but this means that he will have to wait longer to take advantage of the easterly winds. Upwind sailing on a fragile boat cannot really rival the reaching conditions of the frontrunner. 'Bilou' tried a clever strategy, but when you're behind and under pressure, it takes more than a rational, well thought out plan. Desjoyueax is now over 200 miles ahead and making more than two knots faster than Jourdain this morning.
Armel Le Cl?ac'h has continued to make steady gains, still fighting upwind and has made 50 miles against the leader since yesterday morning, but stands to gain more as the high pressure which has slowed the two leaders, looks set to become less of an obstacle for the Brit Air skipper. He will see the breeze decrease today but will pass to the west of the high pressure system and so should be able to sail a more direct route than the leaders did.
Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) has been making steady progress, 10-12 knots overnight, despite having to make his repairs.
Arnaud Boissi?res (Akena V?randas) and Dee Caffari (Aviva) have been taking it in turns in their race within the race sailing in company most of the time since before the Kerguelen Islands, but Cali looks like he intends to make his getaway this morning, he has stretched his lead from 13 miles last night to 21 this morning, but Caffari has never yet let the French skipper off the hook for long.
Steve White, GBR (Toe in the Water) has 600 miles to the SW Pacific Ice Gate and has been pushing hard, while Norbert Sedlacek, AUT, (Naticsport-Kapsch) is easing steadily away from Raphael Dinelli, now 250 miles ahead of the Sablais skipper.
Vendee Globe rankings - 0400 HRS GMT. Rankings, Sunday 11 January 2009 (FRA unless stated)
1. Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) at 5312.5 miles
2. Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) at + 212.5 miles
3. Armel Le Cl?ac'h (Brit Air) + 708.8 miles
4. Sam Davies, GBR, (ROXY) at + 1787.4 miles
5. Marc Guillemot (Safran) at + 2156.4 miles
6. Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) at + 2852 miles
Selected International
8. Dee Caffari, GBR, (AVIVA) at + 3036.4 miles
9. Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) at + 4192 miles
10. Rich Wilson, USA, (Great American III) at + 4997.7 miles
11. Norbert Sedlacek, AUT, (Nauticsport-Kapsch) at + 6276.3 miles
by Event media
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