Franck Cammas and Groupama 3’s lead has gone from 23 miles ahead of Thomas Coville (Sodebo) yesterday morning to 210 miles at 08:00 this morning (Wednesday 3 November). Francis Joyon is now second on Idec, and Yvann Guichard (Gitana XI) is in third place.

On their northern routing Thomas Coville and Sidney Gavignet (Oman Air Majan) are now fourth and fifth respectively. The skippers are in modest breezes, working upwind around the top of high pressure area. Sodebo should emerge into a strengthening  breeze today but Gavignet has been slowed being closer to the centre of the high, making just 10 knots this morning.
 
Cammas’ brisk speeds have seem the Jules Verne record holding giant trimaran, usually sailied by a crew of ten, devouring the miles to Guadeloupe. In the 24hrs to 04:00 this morning Cammas made 446 miles (18.6kts VMG average) towards the finish line, Idec made ‘only’ 316 miles to Coville’s 218.
 
Although Groupama 3 has been adapted for the race, with a rig which is five metres shorter, the multihull is a big, powerful beast for a solo sailor, but Cammas has adapted his approach extremely well to optimize the power of the global record holding boat.

Race record holder Gitana XI has risen to third, on the heels of Idec and now within four miles of the master of solo round the world sailing – setting up for an engaging duel.

For all postions, and to track the boats, visit www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com/en

Subscribe to Yachting World magazine for all the latest racing news and reviews

Follow us on twitter.