Peyron leads line up for the Doldrums

by Vendee Globe media on 18 Nov 2008
The Vendée Globe leaders converge a little as they start to line up for the Doldrums.

A general compression as speeds slow down, Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) still leads. His margin is 6.7 miles this morning over Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) in the east As the fleet leaders slow there are mileage gains for the chasing pack, Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3) in 7th is less than 60 miles behind Peyron.

Another long night of strategic decisions, examining the meteo models, trying to second guess or responding to their rivals’ moves but Loïck Peyron on Gitana Eighty emerges with a lead of 6.7 miles ahead of Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) as the leading group line up for the Doldrums. Le Cam gybed and is now making a more westerly course, some 75 miles to the east of Peyron, while the trio who have for a long time held the western routing are now working close to due south. Speeds have dropped right down now with ENE’ly winds struggling to top 10 knots.

Fourth placed Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec Virbac) has lead the western pack’s advance, sailing west of the Cape Verdes yesterday, gaining more than 20 miles overnight making no gybes while Peyron made two during the night to consolidate his position. Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3) has seen his distance to the leader drop pleasingly since yesterday, now very much back in touch with Peyron, Le Cam and third placed Seb Josse (BT).

From being 106 miles behind, Ecover 3 is now 54 miles behind Gitan Eighty this morning and still advancing. Brian Thompson has also succeeded in shrinking his margin to the lead to 158.6 miles, from over 260 miles two days ago. While Golding lies seventh, Thompson is 11th with 61.5 miles to catch 10th placed Jérémie Beyou on Delta Dore.

Of those who had to restart again Dominique Wavre, SUI, (Temenos II) is now up to within 1 mile – in terms of distance to finish – of Sam Davies, GBR, (ROXY). Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) continues to reel back miles on the fleet leaders,, making the best speed average in the fleet. From a maximum distance from the fleet leaders of 671.3 miles Desjoyeaux has gained to 527.7 miles this morning in 19th place.

Boat Blogs

Brian Thompson (Pindar) has just passed the Cape Verde Islands and last night explained his decision to cut through the middle.

'I was not expecting to take this route through the islands, but the weather reports from both the European and US models were showing very light winds to the west of the archipelago for when I got there. Going west would be the route that I would normally want to take. The two weather models are wildly divergent on what will happen after the islands. The US model shows 25 knots of wind and the European one 5 knots! Something in between would be fine by me. The doldrums still look messy, and I am sure all the skippers are looking at the satellite pictures, quickscat data and gribs, and still looking at their tea leaves as well.'

Jonny Malbon (Artemis II) A good night for me – better speed and better direction. Hopefully I will have taken a few miles off the guys directly in front of me. It's amazing to watch Mich sprinting down the west at such pace. Incredible. Anyway, breakfast time once again. I think I will have some porridge today, a bit more traditional than the curry I had yesterday!'

Standings at 0500GMT, Day 9.
1- Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) 21,433.5 to the finish
2- Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) at + 6.7 miles to leader
3- Seb Josse (BT) at + 22 miles
4- Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) at + 32.9 miles
5- Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) at + 42 miles

Selected international:
7- Mike Golding, GBR, (ECOVER 3) at + 59.4 miles
11- Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) at + 158.6 miles
12- Sam Davies, GBR,(ROXY) at + 237.7 miles
14- Dominique Wavre, SUI, (Temenos 2) at + 238.6 miles
16- Dee Caffari, GBR, (AVIVA) at + 358.2 miles
17- Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) at + 439.1 miles
18- Johnny Malbon, GBR, (Artemis) at + 478 miles
19- Rich Wilson, USA, (Great America III) at + 583.2 miles
20- Unai Basurko, ESP, (Pakea Bizkaia) at + 587.6 miles