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10:23 AM Wed 24 Dec 2008 GMT
Vendee Globe race leaders, Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) and Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) have been relishing brisk downwind conditions towards Cape Horn: the loss over 24 hours was only fifty miles in comparison to S?bastien Josse (BT), third, and Jean Le Cam (VM Mat?riaux), fourth, who are running a course between 45 and 70 miles further to the north.
The leaders are within 200 miles of the western limit of the New Zealand security gate. For Armel Le Cl?ac'h (Brit Air) and Vincent Riou (PRB) in spite of supersonic winds throughout the day yesterday, the gain is not so big, as they have only made up a bout thirty miles over the leaders.
The slower passage times recorded in this race for the first stretch to the Cape of Good Hope have not left a lasting mark on the race, as Michel Desjoyeaux crossed the International Date Line after 43 days 23 hours and 33 minutes.
This cut the time by 1 day 06h 55mins, which should make up for the positions of the security gates, which are extending the course slightly. The next (New Zealand Gate) is due to be crossed today by the leaders, while the next one is five degrees or 300 miles further north (45?30 South and between 145? and 136 ? East)
Vincent Riou (PRB), the 2004 race winner, has been piling on the speed while he can, sailing quickest overnight and second fastest in the early morning speed poll, making over 20 knots and making small gains against his nearest rival Armel Le Cl?ac'h (Brit Air). While one place behind him but with a deficit of 572 miles, Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) shows increasing confidence in his rudder repairs if his speeds are anything to go by.
Marc Guillemot has wound up Safran now and is starting to earn some miles back on Sam Davies, GBR, (Roxy).
After winds of more than 50 knots Brian Thompson's long, tough spell making repairs to Bahrain Team Pindar seem to have been worth it, since he is back pushing hard to regain some of the miles he has lost, making nearly 17 knots early this morning.
Dee Caffari, GBR, (Aviva) has put the squeeze back on Arnaud Boissi?res (Akena Verandas). After suffering a 13 miles deficit yesterday afternoon she is back in front by 28 miles this morning, whilst her compatriot Jonny Malbon (Artemis II) is recovering after being bullied by winds of over 60 knots and huge, confused seas.
Vendee Globe ranking - 05:00 HRS GMT. (FRA, unless stated)
1. Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) at + 10963.5 miles
2. Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) at 60.1 miles
3. Seb Josse (BT) at + 139.7 miles
4. Jean Le Cam (VM Mat?riaux) at + 149.4 miles
5. Armel Le Cl?ac'h (Brit Air) + 371.7 miles
Selected International
8. Sam Davies, GBR, (ROXY) at + 1509.3 miles
10. Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) at + 1898.4 miles
11. Dee Caffari, GBR, (AVIVA) at + 2016.6 miles
13. Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) at + 2589.4 miles
14. Johnny Malbon, GBR, (Artemis) at + 3106.8 miles
15. Rich Wilson, USA, (Great American III) at + 3183.5 miles
16. Derek Hatfield, CAN, (Algimouss Spirit of Canada) at + 3307.9 miles
19. Norbert Sedlacek, AUT, (Nauticsport.Kapsch) + 4205.9
by Event media
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