After the rapid speeds of the previous days, a general easing off the accelerator is taking place across the fleet, with the leading group struggling to top averages of 10 knots.

The most marked slow down is still that of long-time leader Loïck Peyron, whose 24-hour distance is remarkably now the second shortest of the fleet — only Norbert Sedlacek, back in 23rd place, covered fewer miles. As Peyron parks, so Seb Josse has moved into pole position, holding a 15 mile lead for the past two position updates (1500hrs and 1900hrs GMT) on BT.

There’s little to split the leaders in this evening’s position update, with 42 miles covering the first four boats. Mike Golding (Ecover, GBR) is showing as 20 miles behind by taking the more westerly route.

Those still in the fast lane include Marc Guillemot (Safran) in 10th, who looks set to become the first of the chasing pack to join the leaders. Dee Caffari (Aviva, GBR) in 15th, has maintained the highest 24-hour mileage of the fleet, with Arnaud Boissieres (Akena Vérandas) posting similar speeds at a similar latitude to the west. Similarly Jonny Malbon (Artemis, GBR) and Unai Basurko (Pakea Bizkaia, ESP) have both picked up the pace in their own private battle.

However, there are speed bumps ready to catch the unwary as unpredictable squalls continue across the course. Sylvain Mondon of Meteo France predicts variations from 6 to 22 knots and shifts in direction from south-easterly to north-easterly in direction with the thundery storms, possibly accompanied of course by wind holes — as Peyron proved earlier today.

Tomorrow the leaders will briefly enjoy a more stable easterly wind of around 10 knots, but this will only be temporary, as the front group begin to feel the effect of the St. Helena high, which will gradually reduce the wind strength on Friday… Traffic jams look likely.
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