VendeeGlobe, and intense battle for the lead.

The last day has seen some 3 different leaders in the VendeeGlobe2012! 

Banque Populaire , only Boat that validated Crozet gate. 

While Banque Populaire is the only Boat that so far validated the Crozet Ice Gate as the Western Bouy, the other 4 Boats have passed, but need to go North to pass the  Crozet Ice Gate still closer to the Eastern Gate.
The other Boats followed a more southerly faster course but are now into calmer winds, while Banque Populaire has come out of the area of wind calm and with better speed towards the South-East is expected to pass again and take over the lead.

The following group of 3 boats, meanwhile is making good speed and closing in on the leaders.
A daily video impression is available on the VendeeGlove website or a link on my TAB "Media", above.

Changing the Lead

The leading boats have now reached the first Gate: Aiguilles Gate, an Ice Gate where Boats have to pass at least one spot North of it. 

Day 23 highlights - Sunday, December 2, 2012 by VendeeGlobeTV

François Gabart (MACIF) was the 1st Boat to validate the Western buoy on the Aiguilles Gate, shortly followed by Jean-Pierre (Virbac-Paprec3) and Armel Le Cleac'h (Banque Populaire). Francois has the honor to lead the fleet into the Indian Ocean, but with the small differences it is by all not sure he will be the first to lead into the Pacific.

Suratna, sailing virtual in LiveSkipper, sailed yesterday already into the Indian Ocean and  would like a more southerly course, but southerly winds force her to sail a ESE course for some days, before a chance will come to go more south.