Thomas Ruyant, (VULNERABLE), took over the lead of the Vendée Globe solo race round the world race, very early this morning, benefiting from his position to the west of his rivals, which include his teammate British sailor Sam Goodchild, (VULNERABLE), who holds second place. Ruyant was first to emerge from the Doldrums, and after a spell at more than double the speed of his British counterpart, is about 6 point 5 miles ahead this afternoon.



The other skipper to have made a notable gain is Pip Hare, (Medallia), who has profited from her position to the west also, and over recent days has worked her way up to 13th, reducing her deficit of 250 nautical miles yesterday morning, to be about 80 miles behind the leading duo this afternoon.

Crucially for the British skipper, her gains might now possibly give her a chance of hooking into the first low pressure in the South Atlantic, along with the main peloton, but the actual time window to catch this system is not very clear.

свернуть