Showing resolute confidence in his boat, his preparations and himself, like a metronome, Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) has been setting the pace over the last three days, since he overtook Sébastien Josse (BT).

With his regular position to the south, the sailor from Nice seems to be benefiting from calmer seas, as his Farr design clocked up the greatest distance over 24h on Friday evening (448.5 miles).

Based on the 11h rankings each day, out of the 32 days of the race, " JP "has been on the top spot for five days, behind Loïck Peyron (16 days in total) and Sébastien Josse (9 days altogether), but ahead of  Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) and Yann Eliès (Generali) in the lead for one day each.

Passing Heard Island it is Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac II) who remains clear leader of the Vendée Globe, chosing a more southerly course through the channel between the Kerguelen islands archipelago and Heard Island. Gaining 8.5 miles on those in pursuit of him, Dick has been marginally quicker overnight than Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) who is still locked in battle royal with Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) and Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3). 

After a high speed, difficult overnight passage in confused, big seas and gusty winds of 35 knots there is still just 3.6 miles of difference between Desjoyeaux, third placed Jourdain, Mike Golding in fourth. In turn a gap from fourth to fifth placed Seb Josse (BT) of 36.8 miles is opened.

While Desjoyeaux, with Josse in his wake, has chosen to pass closer to the Kerguelen Islands, Dick with Golding and Jourdain in pursuit have a line closer to Heard Island.

Making 411 miles over 24 hours up until 0330hrs GMT this morning, Dick is not far out from the race record of Roland Jourdain set in 2004 at 438 miles. With winds to 40 knots and more set for the next couple of days, and a white hot battle raging at the front of the fleet then at least Dick’s 411 miles seems likely to be bettered.

(Photograph courtesy of OnEdition)                               

Monaco, 11 December 2008 ­ The first World Yacht Racing Forum closed its doors tonight following eight debates and several presentations held over two days at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum. Over 300 key figures from the yacht racing industry attended the conference, the schedule including 37 speakers from 15 different countries.

The feedback from delegates was a positive one, everyone agreeing the yacht racing industry needs such a Forum to debate its key issues. Pat Lilley, Chairman of the Forum, highlighted the quality of the debates in his closing speech, announcing that the event should and will be repeated on an annual basis.

Todays keynote speaker Peter Gilmour presented to a full auditorium illustrating the ways to develop a derelict area into a top level sailing destination. Just back from the Monsoon Cup ­ which he won on 'his' land ­Gilmour captivated the audience by his enthusiasm and charisma. "If we want our sport to evolve, he said, we need to stop asking yacht clubs to organise regattas. It is too difficult for them when they are confronted to a commercial environment. Sailing is one of the best platforms for networking, as long as the events are run properly."