It is a day for the wealthy to accumulate still more gains. In fact Virbac-Paprec 3 and Foncia are already making 12-13 knots in NE'ly breezes this morning and have gained miles, almost 30 on the third group which is lead by Mapfre.


But as they roll down into building trade winds we can expect the speed dials to jump and this leading French duo will extend still further on their pursuers.

The top duo are clearing the latitiude of the most southerly of the Canary Islands, 110 miles west of Hierro, having last night passed 40 miles off La Palma island. What is interesting to note is that once again as they pass an island Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA) and Francois Gabart (FRA) have gained some small miles on the leaders by cutting inside the line of Virbac-Paprec 3.

The leaders are downwind in around 10 knots of NE'ly wind but can expect to run down to something closer to 20kts.

Dominique Wavre (SUI) and Michele Paret (FRA) have dropped outside the 100 miles to the leader radius this morning, not of their doing of course, but Mirabaud is 103 miles behind. They continue to sail a very consistent, accurate course. What is interesting is that both the top Spanish boats have been sailing for speed more often, but their rivals that is Mirabaud and - in the case of Mapfre - President, both have recently beed making better VMG. Simply put they make more miles quicker towards the finish.

Iker Martinez (ESP) and Xabi Fernandez (ESP) on Mapfre have been the quickest of this third pack with a consistent small edge on Jean Le Cam and Bruno Garcia.
Groupe Bel have been making consistent speeds, though the Neutrogena duo Boris Herrmann (GER) and Ryan Breymaier (USA) have done well to earn themselves four miles agains their French rivals overnight. They seem to have worked very hard at getting the best from the 2004 Lombard design up against the newer boats which comprise this little enclave.

GAES Centros Auditivos' girls Dee Caffari (GBR) and Anna Corbella (ESP) are frustrated at their recent tactical errors which have cost them miles, now 12 miles shy of the Neutrogena poster boys, and they have 30 miles of NW'ly separation down to President now.

At just less than 200 miles behind the leaders, this group now are the equivalent of 18-20 hours behind the leaders at the present time, while the straight line distance from the front of the fleet to Hugo Boss is something closer to 500 miles now.

The back group are all in slightly different, light winds, closer to the African coast. Jaume Mumbru (ESP and Cali Sanmarti (ESP) continue to do a nice job with We Are Water, the former Kingfisher, 11th and just 33 miles behind 10th placed Renault ZE Sailing Team.


FMC are most east, 120 miles NWW of Essaouira, struggling with fickle breezes.

Hugo Boss are still upwind but will get down to some stronger SW'lies before finally the breeze starts to rotate to a more favourable angle for them, but they are 405.6 miles behind the leaders.

Quotes:
Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA), Virbac-Paprec 3: “Our summary of the first week is very positive. We are in front. What more could we ask for? If we would have liked a little more then it would not to have been stuck for a couple of hours last night approaching Madeira.
On board the atmosphere is constructive and we look forward to carrying on like that. The next 36 hours will be difficult with light winds. After that we will be in the trade winds. We just work to what feels right just now for us both. Loick shouted at me because I sleep with my head torch on.”

François Gabart (FRA), Foncia: “Since the start, the conditions have not been easy, many operation and manoeuvres, many questions and strategic questions, especially yesterday dealing with the front. I am pretty happy because I feel we have sailed pretty well, even if we are not leading. But we are doing everything to catch up with those in front.”

Dee Caffari (GBR) GAES Centros Auditivos: “We are disappointed with our position today. Last night we were late making a tactical decision as we were originally aiming to head west of Madeira taking the same route as Virbac- Paprec 3 and Foncia. We realised too late that we would not make it far enough west and turned south to head leeward of the islands but that has put us too close and we are caught in the wind shadow of Madeira, slowing us right down.
The previous 48 hours have been full on and we have not been looking after ourselves. The change in conditions overnight have meant that we have been able to sleep and eat so we feel a million times better and are ready for the fight ahead. We are hopeful that we can make good the miles lost and the lighter conditions will allow us to catch up on the guys ahead.”