Their lead over Jean Le Cam in third has stabilised, with VM Materiaux gaining about 20 miles during the morning period, averaging nearly 20 knots.
Armel Le Cleac’h has taken back fourth place from his running mate Vincent Riou and is 27 miles ahead of the fifth placed PRB.
British skippers Steve White and Brian Thompson are struggling with repairs. Thompson in ninth has ongoing issues with his alternators and is consequently running on a very reduced power consumption programme – relying on his wind generator and limited input from his solar panels. White has all but stopped again as he tries to repair his autopilots, confirming that one has seen better days.
“But I will finish this race even if I have to hand steer all the way.” White re-iterated on today’s radio broadcast.
Loick Peyron arrived in Fremantle, meeting up with Dominique Wavre and Mike Golding, before heading straight to Perth airport, aiming to get home to his family as soon as possible. Bernard Stamm arrived at Reunion Island yesterday.
Here is the summary of the French speaking skippers:
Armel Le Cléac'h (Brit Air): Not too bad for a few hours. Ahead of a front with strong NW'ly winds up to 45 knots. In any case hasn't seen any long swell. ETA The Horn on 7th January. As for his first experience of the southern ocean, they were not nice in the Indian, as punishing for boat and equipment, but apparently worse than in the past. You get used to the conditions and now he's been there for a month. It will be nice to reach the Horn anyway. Gates limiting strategic possibilities. Not easy to get away from Vincent, as they are on parallel routes. Considers that Vincent and him are in a waiting position, and will see what happens after the Horn. Could be a great fight between five frontrunners.
Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement): Foggy, dark night. Yesterday for once sea and wind allowing fast speeds, but then encountered an area of light winds, and Michel Desjoyeaux got away. Looking forward to turning right and heading down to Cape Horn. Always questions about what will happen at the Horn for Mich, for him and those behind. No major options before then anyway. Minor changes due to position in weather systems and reactivity. Hadn't thought that the gap would be so wide with those behind him. We've seen before that a lot can happen after the Horn. When you round the Horn, you suddenly find yourself in a different weather system and there are always choices (North or NE) to make at that point. ETA at the Horn early on the 5th. We sail all this way and find ourselves with our classmates from Port-la-Forêt. Nice to be in these cold inhospitable regions with your friends.
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) at about 1030 GMT : Expecting to pass the gate in an hour. Seas are allowing good speeds with a decent westerly swell. 20-25 knot winds. Will be downwind to the Horn. Likely to accelerate a bit and ETA The Horn during the night of 4th-5th. Doesn't see any major upheavals. Will have the wind directly astern Hasn't thought about whether he will hoist spinnaker or not. Will see once he reaches the gate. Port-la-Forêt is a place where people have fun and if you enjoy yourself, you succeed, as can be seen in the rankings.
Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac2): 15-20 knots of wind as on a ridge of high pressure. Dark night, but satisfied with performance earlier in day. For the moment leaders have better conditions, but can just as easily be the opposite later. Seeing all those out of the race, he realises how lucky he is, even if it is hard to have been at the front and now back where he is. Can't carry out any repairs in southern seas, so will do that when conditions allow probably after the Horn. Needs to replace rudder and that will be a long operation and that needs ten hours or so of calm conditions. Currently cross seas. Broke boom vang earlier today. Fewer albatrosses for now.
Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas): Has had some nice surf conditions, but not easy to film. Has calmed since earlier. Trying to preserve his boat, so can't really accelerate to chase after those in front. 12° but is very wet and a lot of condensation inside. Foie gras, duck and rice and some wine (St Emilion) and chocolate dessert for special meal tonight.