After losing his keel yesterday ( read previous story here ) Marc Guillemot will be satisfied to settle for a slow finish in lighter winds.

The skipper has given up third place on the water to Sam Davies (Roxy) but is moving well – averaging 9.2 knots overnight, now slowed to 7.5 knots as the new Azores high pressure system catches up with him. Guillemot had 520 miles to sail to Cape Finisterre this morning.

Now lying third, leading British skipper Sam Davies noted last night: ” I am, incredibly glad of the forecast for Marco’s sake, as the light winds will hopefully enable Safran to get to the finish safely. After all Marco has done, he deserves to get there and I am keeping everything crossed for a safe passage for him and Safran.”

Sam has had a good night, managing to stave off the effects of the high for slightly longer, making 12-12.5 knots for much of the night, with bursts to 14 and 15 knots at times. Even in such brisk conditions Davies will not be pushing too hard. She has 460 miles to sail to pass Cape Finisterre and admits that, due to the prominent high pressure which will settle over the Bay of Biscay, her hopes of being back in Les Sables d’Olonne for Valentine’s Day are not looking so good.

Fellow countryman Brian Thompson has had the chance to whip Bahrain Team Pindar on a little more last night, making over 15 knots for spells as he fought to stay out of the high. Yesterday he was slowed for long periods but during the night and this morning he looks to be making decent speeds in 20 knots of SE’ly, whilst Dee Caffari (Aviva) has a little less breeze but is still making nearly 12 knots this morning.