Seb Josse (BT, pictured) now leads the Vendée Globe, overtaking Jean Pierre Dick (Paprec Virbac 2) and putting 6.3 miles between them. Loick Peyron (Gitana Eighty) is in third, still about four miles behind Jean-Pierre.

Vincent Riou (PRB) and Armel le Cléac’h (Brit Air) are both 21.8 miles behind Josse, and Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) has continued his advance to take seventh position – gaining four places since yesterday morning.

Now it is about angle or pressure. There is reported to be better breezes away from the centre of the high, but those closer will benefit from being able to gybe earlier. At the front of the pack, the gaps – which remain small – indicate a game of strategy is about to begin.

Mike Golding reported this morning that while the winds are fairly regular in direction, the seas are still quite big and the breeze still gusty. He felt that he was now going well, which he is as he moves eight miles clear of Dee Caffari – twelfth on Aviva.

Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) is starting to gain a little from his inshore lane, and no doubt the power of his Juan K design, rising to thirteenth ahead of Sam Davies (ROXY).

For a list of up-to-date boat positions, click here .