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12:13 PM Wed 21 Jan 2009 GMT
Vendee Globe update.
Roland Jourdain the skipper of Veolia Environnement has been slowed down as he appears to have entered the ITCZ (Doldrums) while still only sailing at 3? south, which tends to indicate that the Doldrums have moved down, to the south rather than back up to the north of the Equator.
His only hope now is that these calms and thundery squalls will not return north to their more normal position, as he passes through, they would stay with him, stuck for some time.
With his lead grown back to 341 miles, a 28 miles overnight gain, by way of contrast Michel Desjoyeaux is back on the upturn. The leader now for 36 days has found the steady trade winds, a 20-knot NE'ly flow, which is forecast to strengthen over the coming hours. There is not a lot of work to do out on deck, except pick up the flying fish and keep an eye on the squalls and stay patient and focused.
In these headwinds with 2-metre high waves and stifling heat, it is important not to put to much strain on the boat, which has already covered some 20,000 miles. This upwind sailing is set to last for at least four days.
Armel Le Cl?ac'h (Brit Air) is not likely to reach the Doldrums until the weekend, which means the situation could certainly change considerably by the time he approaches. There are few tactical opportunities for him, so he continues to head north in the easterly trade winds to try to pass the Doldrums at 33? west.
Marc Guillemot (Safran) and Samantha Davies (Roxy) are working around a Brazilian low, which is heading off east to Africa. The skipper of Safran is close to the coast near Rio and at some point is going to have to move back east to pick up the trade winds ahead and perhaps concede some miles back to Davies, who has been moving well again after more than 48 hours of light airs penance. She was making a consistent 15 knots on Roxy during the small hours of the morning (GMT).
Now, having gained more than 100 miles to be less than 800 miles from Le Cl?ac'h, despite being hampered by his enforced double reefed mainsail, he seems increasingly determined boost himself on the podium by the finish.
The three heading up north off the coast of Uruguay are adopting various strategies. Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) hit the lighter airs first and so has lost ground to Dee Caffari (Aviva). At 0400hrs GMT he was making just 5knots, while Caffari was still trucking along at 10knots plus. She is now less than 60 miles behind Thompson. As for Arnaud Boissi?res (Ak?na V?randas), he has moved more than 100 miles to the west and is no longer in the same weather system. The French skipper has opted for a route close to Mar del Plata, believing the two British sailors will find themselves trapped in a wind hole ahead.
Sailing at more than 15 knots, Steve White (Toe in the water) is by far the fastest in the fleet, pushed along by the strong westerlies since the Falklands in a low pressure system.
Rich Wilson (Great American III) still has 1180 miles of the Pacific to cover, while the two at the rear of the fleet are now on their way eastwards towards the final Ice Gate.
Norbert Sedlacek (Nauticsport-Kapsch) in his daily message.'Today I had real problems with my canting keel but I was able sort it out. Anyway it was a tricky situation when the keel cable from the starboard side got stuck on the winch. I tried to clear it by using another winch but in the end I had to fix a 3 tonne belt as a 'brake' and cut the cable directly on the end of the keel head. So you see, even this problem cannot stop me from sailing the full distance. I am looking forward to having my birthday just one or two days before passing Cape Horn. So Neptune send us some decent weather!'
1500hrs HRS GMT. Rankings, Wednesday 21st January 2009
(FRA unless stated)
1 . Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) at 3052.2 miles to finish
2 . Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) at 341 miles from first place
3 . Armel Le Cl?ac'h (Brit Air) at 1031.3 miles from first place
4 . Marc Guillemot (Safran) at 1825.6 miles from first place
5 . Sam Davies (Roxy) at 1876.3 miles from first place
6 . Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) at 2522 miles from first place
7 . Dee Caffari (Aviva) at 2581.7 miles from first place
8 . Arnaud Boissi?res (Akena V?randas) at 2699.2 miles from first place
9 . Steve White (Toe in the water) at 3690.1 miles from first place
10 . Rich Wilson (Great American III) at 5165.1 miles from first place
11 . Rapha?l Dinelli (Fondation Oc?an Vital) at 6873.3 miles from first place
12 . Norbert Sedlacek (Nauticsport . Kapsch) at 6880.3 miles from first place
RDG . Vincent Riou (PRB). 3rd equal. 30 boats started.
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by Vendee Globe media
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