Although Jean Luc Van Den Heede spent most of yesterday becalmed, he is still four and a half days ahead of target.

Van Den Heede, who’s attempting to break the non-stop, east to west record of 151 days, 19 hours and 54 minutes record set in 2000 by Philippe Monnet, is heading down the South American coast towards the Le Maire Strait but has suffered with lack of wind during the past 24 hours.

However, reports from the boat this morning show Den Heede is up and running again and preparing to navigate the straits which are situated between Tierra del Fuego and Staten Island. “All is going well,” said Den Heede, “and the conditions seem to be ideal. I expect to make the passage tomorrow evening before heading Adrien towards the famous Cape Horn (heave ho, Santiano!) that I hope to pass on Friday.”