Yann Guichard, co-skipper of Gitana 11:

“It's still a bit lively in terms of squalls, but there's light at the end of the tunnel, which bodes pretty well. We opted to get round the anticyclone in the doldrums. It was a bit of a gamble but it paid off, as the doldrums were pretty extensive. The further you go to the east, the more you have an open angle to go down towards Bahia. We didn't really know where we were going, but luckily the door was open. We're almost out of it now and travelling at an average of nearly 20 knots. That should speed up tonight and we'll be clear. We're a bit tired as it was a long night…  In the squalls, it's a case of constantly having to change the sails: one minute, you're rolling and the next unrolling!”

Among the monohulls, Gitana Eighty is still 4th and the suspense is total concerning the different options now emerging. To stay in the centre or veer to the west or the east…That is the question.. 

Loïck Peyron, in the mid-day radio chat :

“Everything's going well and it's really hot. The wind is very tricky to manage as it's so changeable, in terms of both force and direction. We're gybing downwind, which means we're doing plenty of miles, but not on the direct route, unfortunately! The race should get going again in 24 hours on passing Cape Verde and between now and then, we're all just watching each other out of the corner of our eyes. We have been sailing on watch with the auto pilot, so it's good training for solo racing!”