As Jean Pierre Dick leads by 29 miles tonight fastest in the fleet are Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) and Mike Golding (Ecover 3) racing less than ten miles apart.

Both were making 18.3 knots, and in the four hours between the position reports Golding has averaged 18.4 knots to Peyron’s 18 knots. Peyron is fourth and Golding fifth.

He is already in seventh place, gaining two today. Over the last week his work has been less easy but since last Sunday night he has claimed four places and gained 102 miles against the leaders. He was once 671 miles behind.

But now he is very much confined to the same weather system, racing on the same waters as the leading group. His speed this evening? 18.4 knots over the last hour and 18.2 knots between the standings. Does it need saying that ‘Le Profeseur’ is quick?  He has just over four miles to catch Jean Le Cam then a barrier of about 30 miles stands between Foncia and the top five.

A few days ago Mich’ Desj’ entered the top 10, how long can the top 5 hold out?

 Desjoyeaux passed Riou and Eliès on Saturday, he is now gunning for Le Cam with the gap shrunk by 15 miles in the last four hours to a slender To the fireside spectators at home it is compelling. But for those adversaries in the Indian Ocean it must be frustrating.

He is just faster, plain and simple, not the consequence of some daring strategy. Everyone keeps insisting on the need to preserve the boat and equipment. It would thus seem that Desj’ is placing the cursor higher than those around him. He has no hesitation in putting his foot down to get back to the front. If he keeps going at this pace, the question becomes not if, but when will he grab the overall lead and will he then ease off?