Rhythm of the Race High speed surfing conditions are speeding the leaders to the finish.  They require a made transformation back to Southern Ocean gear.

Standings table 

Top 3

1. PRB 33 North 29:2 West 
2. Kingfisher 31 North 30:4 West 126 miles
3. Sill 27:1 South 34:4 West 432 Miles

 
Fleet round up section

Today, it's definitely advantage Michel Desjoyeaux. He's lengthened his 
lead to 126 miles. This is a 97 mile gain. That gain is in the past.

In the present PRB has a nearly 3 knot speed advantage on 2nd place Kingfisher. Michel Desjoyeaux has the fleets top speed at 16.7 knots.

Ellen Macarthur is trying to keep pressure on PRB. She's steering a 7
degree different course and is separated by over a degree of longitude.

3rd place Sill has had an unfavorable 24 hours losing 172 miles. However,
Roland Jourdain is nearly 200 miles ahead of Active Wear so all is not lost.

Sobedo continues to lead UBP currently by 17 miles. Boat speeds are
10.3 and 10.2 so the close duel should keep on.

Mike Golding has sailed Group 4 with its jury rigged vectran cap shroud
past Gartmore once again. His lead over fellow Brit Josh Hall is 24 miles.

Ahead of the Brits Catherine Chabaud has sailed Whirlpool over the equator.

Skipper Communications

Catherine Chabaud Whirlpool "I am in a nor’easterly but it’s surprising. This morning I was looking at the Jean-Yves Bernot lessons as it’s not established at all."

Thomas Coville Sobedo ". The trades are back, I’m going at 10 – 11 knots and must be nearly in sight of Dominique. I called him last night as I saw a tree trunk floating past, which could be disastrous if he hit it."

Ellen Macarthur Kingfisher "I tried an option in the East but it hasn’t worked out well as you can see on the positions this morning. The only chance left was the Azores anticyclone. I can’t see anything else except if Michel has a problem..."

Roland Jourdain Sill "I can see lots of lovely wind arrows ahead on the weather files! ! I’m third right now so it’s good already. I imagine that life isn’t too great for Marc Thiercelin, and I don’t se any danger from him in the immediate."

Michel Desjoyeaux PRB "This morning there were 120 miles between Ellen and myself, which represents the time difference of the two boats entering the dorsal. That allowed me to get into the stronger winds earlier than her. I have to get used to the life at this speed again as it’s been 15 days where the boat hasn’t been above 10 knots. 

Current Weather High wind and surf warning for the top boats.

Weather Forecast Strong following winds for the rest of the course for the leaders.

What does it all mean

PRB's eta is the beginning of the weekend.  That leaves 4 days for more unexpected events- the trademark of this race.