Nick Moloney sailing Skandia holds tenth position, as French skipper Jean Pierre Dick on Verbac pulls away to a 31 mile lead in the Open 60 class.

Skandia is creeping along this morning, crossing the high-pressure system that blocked the path of the Transat fleet. Jean Pierre Dick’s gamble to skirt the high by sailing south-west appears to have paid huge dividends as Virbac has pulled out a 31.7 mile lead over second-placed Mike Golding (ECOVER).

After two days of intense racing and no more than a few hours sleep in 10 to 20 minute catnaps, Moloney is beginning to feel fatigued. “I’m pretty knackered but I guess everyone is. My aches and pains score is high too. I fell down the front hatch last night and smashed-up my leg. I’m trying to rest and feel better.”

Just 32 miles separate Skandia and the fourth placed yacht, Kiwi Mike Sanderson’s Pindar Alphagraphics, with over 2,300 miles still to go.

IMOCA POSITIONS 1100 GMT

1. Virbac / Dick / 50 23.76’N / 14 42.76’W / 2313.8 distance to finish

2. Ecover / Golding / 50 32.04’N / 13 57.04’W / 33.5 behind leader

3. Temenos / Wavre / 50 01.44’N / 13 55.32’W 35 behind leader

4. Pindar Alphgraphics / Sanderson / 50 33.92’N / 13 43.12’W / 37.3 behind leader

5. Cheminees Poujoulat – Amor Lux / Stamm / 50 20.80’N / 13 35.08’W/ 44.4 behind leader

10. Skandia / Moloney / 50 17.04’N / 12 47.08’W / 76.4 behind leader