As expected, the first sailors reached Ushant just before midnight. At 2330 hours French time Michel DESJOYEAUX (FRA) on Géant, passed the third prize mark of the leg, to win the Gran Prix Aigle. Yann ELIÈS (FRA) on Groupe Generali Assurance and Kito DE PAVANT (FRA) on Groupe Bel followed close behind. At the latest position report DE PAVANT had taken over the lead with Gildas MORVAN (FRA) on Cercle Vert second a fraction ahead of ELIÈS in third, whilst DESJOYEAUX had dropped back to eleventh after his large spinnaker ripped.

The fleet has already split in two. Those who are sailing a more northerly course, waiting to tack south including Lionel PÉAN (FRA) L’Esprit d’Equipe, Marc LEPESQUEUX (FRA) on Maisons Pierre, Cyrille ROGNON (FRA) on Eno & Navi Line and Yannick BESTAVEN (FRA) on Aquarelle.com – and those on a more southerly course who played with the turning of the tide including DESJOYEAUX, ELIÈS, DE PAVANT, MORVAN and Armel LE CLÉAC’H (FRA) on Foncia-TBS.

The next mark is Sein, with the leaders aiming to extend the gap at the front as they descend into the Bay of Biscay.