The positions of the boats relative to the next waypoint, can give a very misleading impression as to which boat has the advantage in an ocean race and this Vendée is no different. Bureau Vallée is shown in 6th place but it is north and west of the rest of the leading group as they negotiate a high pressure system and will be hoping to pick up the south westerly winds first. Apivia is still nearest the waypoint and is not yet as affected by the lighter winds as Bureau Vallée so is currently moving faster. In theory, as the high pressure eases eastwards Bureau Vallée should get the benefit of better winds first but these high pressure systems are unpredictable. This Vendee is keeping the excitement going right to the finish.
Looking at the leading nine boats, separated by only 377 miles, the tail enders have ENE winds whereas Apivia now has ESE and easing. One would expect this gap between them to close a bit in the next day.
Pip Hare is suffering at the western edge of a ridge of high pressure which will move east later today, giving her wind, but from ahead. It looks as if she will suffer these conditions for at least the next two days making it a battle to get north to where the system will slowly bring the winds round from the east and she will be able to put on some speed towards the equator. But better to have headwinds than no wind. Miranda Merron, 1,200 miles behind Pip, is also having to work her way north. It's frustrating for both of them.
Maxi Edmond de Rothschild will enter the Indian Ocean today. She has lost a bit against her target, now 821 miles ahead of it. It is still riding above a depression which is bringing them strong winds and the crew are saying that they are trying to ease off the accelerator for the moment, although still showing 35 knots of boat speed and 725 miles in the last 24 hours.