Microscopic windless zones generated by a northerly moving low have given rise to asthmatic zones of wind, where winds of close of 50 knots kick in. This produces a situation whereby Gitana, Biscuits La Trinitaine, Sopra Group and Foncia are sailing in a direct line 50 miles from Sergio Tacchini at speeds of less than 10 knots whereas at 13h00 today Fauconnier / Foxall found themselves in steady winds of 40-45 knots with an average speed of more than 17 knots ? Difficult to explain... Gitana on the same latitude as Cape Finisterre (the north-western tip of Spain) with an average boat speed of 14.2 knots as at the 14h00 check-in today. With the wind playing hide and seek, producing a familiar accordion effect – and may hold a boat back, just as it may push her forward.

And what lies in store for tomorrow ?

All agree that the weather situation for tomorrow is unclear... A northerly moving system of low pressure for those to the west, a new front ahead for those to the east. Not easy to find your way through the tradewind highway. A simple question : will Gitana yield the benefits of her choice, like Alain Gautier and Ellen MacArthur on Foncia in the hours to come, a north-westerly wind, a saving grace ? Not likely as things stand for now, but who knows ?  An ambiguous answer, if ever there was one, but that would enable them to let out all the canvas, hoist the gennaker and perhaps to gain ground on Belgacom, the fleet overall leader at the 14h00 check-in, currently 114 miles further east than Gitana. The race is far from over yet...