sailing - Vendée Globe

Josse still in lead at the Atlantic gate

Wednesday 03 December 2008

Sébastien Josse (BT) maintains his steady lead against his two closest pursuers, Yann Eliès (Generali) and Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2), all within 100 miles. The first two sailors passed the Atlantic gate south to the Cape of Good Hope.

The leaders are progressing steadily as the Southern Ocean seascape offers its usual muted colours, long swells and Albatross's ballet.

Racing in 20 knot average wind strengths, Sébastien Josse (BT) has gained four miles over his followers. Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) has returned consistently at a fast pace, closing five miles on the leader, but he is still less than two miles off second placed Generali (Yann Eliès).

Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) has regained fourth place again from Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) who has not been able to match Peyron’s overnight pace and has dropped to 84.3 miles behind the leader.

Britain's Sam Davies (Roxy) and Brian Thompson on Bahrain Team Pindar, were trapped by lighter winds at the back of a small front which passed over them yesterday, and their losses are considerable. Thompson lost 40 miles or so overnight and Davies closer to 70. Dee Caffari on Aviva – who has her knee inflammation treated – lost about 20 miles.

It was another story for Johnny Malbon on Artemis as on Monday Dec. 1st: he hit a whale which nearly got him out of the race.

A nasty experience for Johnny Malbon

0400 HRS GMT. Rankings, Wednesday 3rd December 2008

1- Seb Josse (BT) at 18368 miles

2- Yann Elies (Generali) + 41.9 miles

3 - Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) +43.2 miles

4 -Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) + 67.2 miles

5 - Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) + 84.3 miles

Selected International.

9- Mike Golding, GBR, (ECOVER 3) at + 112.5 miles

12- Dominique Wavre, SUI, (Temenos 2) at + 253.8 miles

13- Brian Thompson, GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) at + 490.1 miles

14- Sam Davies, GBR,(ROXY) at + 597.8 miles

15- Dee Caffari, GBR, (AVIVA) at + 687.7 miles

17- Bernard Stamm, SUI, (Cheminées Poujoulat) at + 803.3 miles

18 - Steve White, GBR, (Toe in the Water) at + 810.5 miles

19 - Johnny Malbon, GBR, (Artemis) at + 812.6 miles