Vendee Globe Update

Passing Heard Island it is Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac II) who remains clear leader of the Vendée Globe, chosing a more southerly course through the channel between the Kerguelen islands archipelago and Heard Island. Gaining 8.5 miles on those in pursuit of him, Dick has been marginally quicker overnight than Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) who is still locked in battle royal with Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) and Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3). After a high speed, difficult overnight passage in confused, big seas and gusty winds of 35 knots there is still just 3.6 miles of difference between Desjoyeaux, third placed Jourdain, Mike Golding in fourth. In turn a gap from fourth to fifth placed Seb Josse (BT) of 36.8 miles is opened.