PENALTY DECISIONS MADE BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
The international committee has come to a decision on the penalties to be incurred by Nauticsport, Great American III, Toe in the water, and Artemis, for failing to leave Bouy D (located 2NM from the start line) to Starboard, as outlined in the race rules. As punishment, they all receive a 30 minute penalty. It has also been confirmed that Bahrain Team Pindar has been issued a 4 hour penalty for still having support crew onboard during the official start countdown.
DAY 10: NO EQUATOR RECORD BROKEN THIS TIME
Difficult weather in the Bay of Biscay has put paid to this year's fleet hoping to break the intermediate record between Les Sables d'Olonne and the Equator. The record was set during the 2004 Vendee by Jean Le Cam with a time of 10d 11h28m and in order to better it, this year's competitors would have to have sailed 500 miles in 18 hours. We bet Jean Le Cam has breathed a secret sigh of relief! Better luck next time guys. When most people think of single-handed racing, they think of it as a lonely sport. But that hasn't been the case today for Sam Davies on Roxy and Brian Thompson on Pindar, who've been sailing alongside each other (well, Sam's proud to say she's just ahead!), close enough to have a chat. It really is a small World! As usual, the Doldrums have meant that the distances between the leaders are closing. At the time of going to press, the top 5 are: 1- Gitana Eighty (Peyron), 2- BT (Josse), 3- Paprec-Virbac 2 (Dick), 4- Brit Air (Le Cleac'h) and 5- PRB ( Riou).
DAY 7: GOOD NEWS FOR MAISONNEUVE AND A CHEEKY ENCOUNTER FOR STEVE WHITE
Good news for Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty who rejoined the race this afternoon. Leaving the Vendee Globe pontoon at 16h47m, he crossed the start line aboard Maisonneuve at 17h17m33s He heads off to Cape Finisterre under gennaker and full main in a light 6knot breeze and flat calm sea. It's been an interesting day for Brit hopeful Steve White aboard Toe In The Water, who got up-close and personal with an overly friendly dolphin! While hanging off the bowsprit in the bosun's chair with his backside a mere 2 feet off the water, a dolphin surfaced right underneath him - close enough for him to feel the full blast of his breath, making Steve jump right out of his skin! Ooh cheeky!
BAD NEWS FOR ALEX THOMSON
Bad news for Alex Thomson, sailing Hugo Boss; for the second time, his Vendee Globe dreams have come to an end. His official retirement was announced today following confirmation that the necessary repairs to the 5 metre transverse crack that runs through the outer and inner skin of the boat, will take weeks rather than the 5 days left to the close of the start line. An obviously heartbroken Alex has vowed to be back for the 2012 race. Thomson is the 4th skipper to retire so far. The 5 front-runners are currently passing Madeira with Loick Peyron maintaining his lead of 13.6 miles. Seb Josse (on BT) is in second while Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) is currently third. All three are passing to the West of Madeira, while Jean le Cam (VM Materiaux) in fourth, is sticking to his run down the East side, which takes him inside the main island of Madeira and risks the wind-shadow effect of the mountains.
DRAMA ON DAY ONE
It's only been 34 hours since the start gun was fired, but already 6 boats have had to perform the dreaded u-turn. Rough weather has seen GROUP BEL dismasted with further damage to the boom and one of the carbon deck spreaders, and GROUP MAISONNEUVE heading back to Les Sables d'Olonne with a damaged deck panel. ALGIMOUSS SPIRIT OF CANADA is also returning due to electrical faults, and reports state that the bad weather is set to stay for a few more days. Rules state that if damage occurs, the competitors may only return to Les Sables d'Olonne to carry out repairs before heading off again, and that they must cross the start line before 13h02 on 19th November. Meanwhile, Brian Thompson, sailing Bahrain Team Pindar, has incurred a penalty of four hours for still having members of his team on board during the final start countdown. So far, the Vendee Globe is living up to expectations as one of the toughest ocean races out there... didn't we promise excitement?
