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The steady 25-30 knot winds are turning slowly to the left for Jean LE CAM (Bonduelle), Vincent RIOU (PRB) and Mike GOLDING (Ecover). The winds from astern should give way to winds on the beam, which also mean good speeds. The routes taken by the trio will curve around before they pass under the Horn. Sailing quite quickly, but very busy at the moment, the pack led by Sébastien JOSSE has seen off the worst of the low. 'They were my strongest winds since the start,' said the youngest competitor in the race. There's a westerly blowing and to get to the Horn, they are going to have to gybe very carefully and at the right moment. The fastest yachtsman in the past 24 hours was Dominique WAVRE (Téménos), who is expected to reach the Horn five days behind Jean LE CAM.

The horizon is clearing for the competitors caught in the mess over New Zealand. A low is developing to the east of the islands and a westerly flow will be building late today joining up with another low further south. Joé SEETEN (Arcelor Dunkerque), who will have paid quite dearly, Bruce SCHWAB (Ocean Planet) out to the west, Conrad HUMPHREYS (Hellomoto) and Benoit PARNAUDEAU (Max Havelaar-Best Western) to the south will each be taking off again shortly. Anne LIARDET will have to remain patient for a bit longer, but will make it out of there too. However, things are looking less positive for Patrice CARPENTIER (VM Matériaux) as a little low between Tasmania and New Zealand will be slowing them down, as they struggle upwind in the south easterlies. Patrice may even see Raphaël DINELLI and his Akena Vérandas creeping up on him. Karen LEIBOVICI (Benefic) wished for some wind for the New Year. The high-pressure area around her has not been listening. Stuck behind the front, the young woman has some sunshine, but is being forced to admit that the high has taken over.