Thierry Duprey du Vorsent is in an attacking position and aims to pass as close as possible to the centre of the anticyclone. In contrast, the group which set off more to the South in order to go around it have extended their route considerably but are benefiting from favourable winds. The skipper knew that if he remained in the wake of the southerly group, he would suffer from a slight speed deficit due to his lack of experience on the circuit, which is why he opted for a more offensive strategy.
 
Emerging from the anticyclone, the wind will most likely be lighter and Domaine du Mont d'Arbois could well slip back down the ranking. Nonetheless, Thierry Duprey du Vorsent should be gybing while the southerly group are still completing their detour, thereby allowing him to catch up with the rest of the fleet.
 
The verdict will be delivered in the next 24 to 48 hours…
 
Thierry Duprey du Vorsent, skipper of Domaine du Mont d'Arbois, in the midday radio chat:
 
“This second place is really encouraging and pleasing, although I haven't forgotten that there's still 2,700 miles to go and everything's still a long way from being decided. I'm also thinking about my sponsor, the Domaine du Mont d'Arbois, as I know they'll be following the race closely there. Last night, we had winds of up to 28-35 knots, so I got my first taste of this boat under such conditions: it's a bit like a submarine, in fact, sometimes going down into the water up to the mast head, which is pretty impressive! To the South, they had to put up with 45-knot squalls. I'm happy to be where I am, as my lack of experience in such conditions could have cost me dear. I'm sleeping an average of 6 to 8 times a day in chunks of 15 to 30 mins, which isn't too bad and above all helps me to keep my strength up for days ahead! I hope my choice will bear fruit, but it's like a game of poker… My direct rivals all have an anticyclone to go around, whereas I have less distance to travel but am moving more slowly. We'll just have to see if they can keep up the pace down there and at the same time hope that this is not a busted flush!”
 
Alexandre Faix, Manager of the Domaine du Mont d'Arbois, Baron Benjamin de Rothschild's property at Megève:
 
“We're all delighted. The entire Domaine team is following Thierry's progress closely. Of course we realise there's still a long way to go, but we hope that Domaine du Mont d'Arbois will show this excellent start was no fluke. The next 48 hours will be crucial! Calling him is difficult as we wouldn't want to disturb him. I sent him an e-mail yesterday to tell him that even from our perch right up here on Mont Blanc, it's difficult to see him… but we're behind him all the way!”