Vincent Riou aboard PRB has increased his lead on the Calais Round Britain and Ireland Race fleet and is now over 11 miles ahead of Roland Jourdain’s Sill.

While Jordain suffered with damage to his Solent foresail yesterday in the tough headwinds and big seas, Riou was able to benefit from clear air and push his boat into a good lead. With just over 120 miles to go to the finish line, Riou will now be concentrating on playing the shifts and keeping himself between those behind and the finish line. Although time is running out for Mike Golding on Ecover, he’s managed to close up on Sill and is currently just one mile off her transom. Golding commented: “I think we’re in good shape and have been sailing well all race… We’ve not been out of the picture at all. Just got to see if we can’t get ahead of the two boats in front of us!”

If the forecast south-westerly Force 4-5 holds the leaders should arrive at the finish line later this evening/early tomorrow morning.

Latest positions

1st PRB 52 46.28′ N 1 54.16′ E

2nd Sill 52 57.36′ N 1 54.84′ E (11.1 from the leader)

3rd Ecover 52 58.20′ N 1 46.40′ (12.5 from the leader)

4th Bobst Group Armor Lux 53 05.40′ N 1 30.24′ E (23.3 from the leader)

5th Team 888 53 48.36′ N 1 15.52′ E (67.2 from the leader)

6th VMI 53 54.00′ N 1 05.64′ (74.0 from the leader)

7th Arcelor Dunkerque 55 37.32′ N 0 20.88′ E (181.2 from the leader)

8th Garnier 55 33.64′ N 0 29.64′ W (188.2 from the leader)