The Défi Atlantique, the new west-east transatlantic challenge for Open 60 IMOCA class monohulls started on 30 November from Salvador, Brazil. The finish line is off La Rochelle, France with the first boats likely to arrive on 18 December.

Mike Golding’s Ecover is currently leading the 10-boat fleet by just four miles from Vincent Riou, while 29-year-old British sailor Alex Thompson who was leading the race a few days ago is now 224 miles behind Golding (pictured left) and lying in seventh place overall. However, overnight Thompson has been averaging 19kts and is hoping to improve his position in the next few hours.

More news when we have it.

Current Positions

1 Mike GOLDING , N182392 W0281300 2178.3 (distance to finish)

2 Vincent RIOU, N184108 W0285376 2182.2 (distance to finish)

3 Sébastien JOSSE, N173899 W0281000 2216.6 (distance to finish)

4 Jean Pierre DICK, N182180 W0305980 2259.6 (distance to finish)

5 Nick MOLONEY, N170340 W0284284 2262.7 (distance to finish)

6 Benoît LEQUIN N,144652 W0291596 2398.8 (distance to finish)

7 Alex THOMSON, N174400 W0343399 2402.5 (distance to finish)

8 Joe SEETEN, N145176 W0305220 2437.7 (distance to finish)

9 Benoît PARNAUDEAU N,123240 W0322780 2604.5 (distance to finish)

10 Anne LIARDET N,114068 W0331032 2669.8 (distance to finish)