Vendee Globe - Racing On

10:41 PM Tue 6 Jan 2009 GMT
With Jean Le Cam now safe onboard Vincent Riou's PRB the racing continues for the other competitors in the Vendee.

Of the racing skippers, leader Michel Desjoyeaux is now skirting the outlying edges at the north-west of the Falklands Islands. Foncia is being chased hard on the route north by Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnment), who is currently 135 miles behind, having regained some of the distance he lost to Mich Desj earlier today.

A low pressure system currently between Argentina and the Falklands looks set to bring the leading duo favourable south-westerlies of 20-25 knots for the next couple of days as it tracks north-west.

Samantha Davies (GBR) is currently the fastest skipper on the course, clocking averages above 16 knots as she sails on the edge of a cold front that is bringing 25-30 knot north-north-westerlies.

Having passed through the East Pacific Gate, fifth-placed Roxy is now on a fast lane south-east direct to Cape Horn, although it's worth bearing in mind that the mileages around the gates can be a little misleading.

By contrast Steve White (Toe in the Water, GBR) has been experiencing the effects of a high pressure system for the past day. Aviva (Dee Caffari, GBR), Akena V?randas (Arnaud Boissieres) and Bahrain Team Pindar (Brian Thompson, GBR) are currently between two fronts which are bringing them changeable conditions.

In this afternoon's update the more southerly Boissieres seemed to be making the best of it and Caffari is now converging onto his line.

Nobert Sedlacek (Nauticsport Kapsch, AUT) reported today that he was enjoying pleasant sailing conditions after 30 hours of heavy winds and waves, although another low pressure system looks set to move over Sedlacek and back marker Raphael Dinelli (Fondation Oc?an Vital) tonight, bringing around 45 knots.

Retired sipper S?bastien Josse is now safely moored up in Auckland with BT. Josse arrived at New Zealand's America's Cup venue Viaduct Basin shortly before midnight last night.

Vendee Globe ranking - 15:00 HRS GMT. Tuesday 6 January 2009 (FRA unless stated)

1. Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) at 6619.8 miles to finish
2. Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) at + 135.4 miles to leader
3. Vincent Riou (PRB) + 612.8 miles
4. Armel Le Cl?ac'h (Brit Air) + 618 miles
5. Sam Davies, GBR, (ROXY) at + 1900 miles

Selected International

7. Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) at + 2695 miles
8. Dee Caffari, GBR, (AVIVA) at + 2991.9 miles
10. Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) at + 3780.2 miles
11. Rich Wilson, USA, (Great American III) at + 4832.7 miles
12. Norbert Sedlacek, AUT, (Nauticsport-Kapsch) at + 5875.9 miles

by Event media

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #Sailing #North

Vendee Globe - Racing On

Sports/News

Weather Forecasts & Live Reports

Buy & Sell/Classifieds