While rudder damage has slowed down Jean-Pierre Dick on Paprec-Virbac 2, Mike Golding leads this Vendee Globe for the first time. The British skipper has been posting consistent high average speeds and generally the pace has been speeding up as the skippers are about to reach the Australia ice security gate.

The fallen leader Jean-Pierre Dick confirmed this morning that his plan is to cross the ice security gate imminently and then slow to try and effect a repair to his damaged rudders.

25th leader since the start of the race, Golding has a lead of just 30 miles over the compromised Paprec-Virbac 2, but is facing a terrible fight from behind as his pursuing French rivals tease the 2003 record 468.72 miles of Golding’s compatriot Alex Thomson.

Averaging nearly 19 knots overnight Golding has eased south east andgained 30 miles on second Jean-Pierre Dick. 
Behind, Sébastien Josse (BT) has recorded more than 450 miles in 24 hours, Jean le Cam more than 460 and this morning, topped by fourth placed Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) made 464.3 miles over 24 hours.