Coville has done well to catch up somewhat on Joyon's incredible times by the Horn. However he now has 19days to make up 687mls, so 36mls a day or 1.5kts faster all the time to equal the record. This sounds difficult in what is essentially the same boat. However Joyon had several slow days coping with the south Atlantic high, so if Coville has better luck some overhauling is possible. We could be in for a nail biting finish.

With the help of some flares they can light up the area and take snapshots of each other? At the moment you could toss a wet cat from Neutrogena to Sodebo.

Pity that it's not a 46 footer!?

Coville has gained about 220 miles v. Joyon during the last 24 hrs. He's deserving of some good conditions the next few days! Has he had contact with any of the nearby BWR teams?

We're running some more trials of "Theater Style" racing in the 49er in March. Theater style is similar to the Arena style in that it is a short course where the boats are contained. One major difference is that it's tailored for a TV audience more than a live audience as we use swim lanes to create an artificial boundary but keep good quality wind. Have a read about the plans at: http://www.porttackcharter.com/2011/02/23/palma-test-of-theater-style-ra...

The implication is that Oracle, ML, ETNZ and Artemis have paid for their boats, but the others have not. . . or is it just that Oracle, ETNZ and Artemis have paid and the others have not, which is why, although it 'might' be ML to use the practice boat next, they are currently not able as they haven't paid for their AC45.

I know it's too late in the season to start again after repairs. However I think at only one attempt in two seasons, are the Banque getting value for money!? Allowing the team to wait this long for the "ideal" weather window, which in reality does not exist, does seem overindulgent. They must take the view that there's no such thing as bad publicity! In fact the return trip with the short board was fast enough to suggest they had a chance if they'd continued, but no doubt Pascal made the right call.

Your wish has been granted...!

I think the title should read 40kts for 30hrs!?

Most of the boats have now decided they have to stop. After hearing about the gorgeous french women in the marina! Several teams have suddenly discovered new broken items on their boats.... VP's manager probably devised this clever plan... at 6min40secs here: http://www.youtube.com/user/BarcelonaWorldRace#p/u/5/P3sh-M8Xo08

Looks like they can make port before bars close, Saturday night. It would be well-earned. It was a damn quick round trip to the S. Atlantic!

Hear hear, from Cairns, Far North Queensland. Martin Hadley

Well spotted... Going these speeds in a 10ft trimaran in the Southern Ocean would indeed be a feat.

I'd like to publicly wish Paul and the Vestas Sailrocket team the very best of luck with Vestas Sailrocket 2. I've met and spoken with Paul a few times, whilst working on Team Phillips at Totnes and whilst testing the first Sailrocket at Portland and I have to say Paul is wonderfully open and perpetually upbeat about his plans, the boats, etc. and is happy to talk to whoever stops by He is always enthusiastic (even when things don't go to plan) and is utterly dedicated to speed sailing as a whole and to his desire to take this record. I shall be following Sailrocket 2 with avid interest and encourage others to do so too. Good Luck Paul and Vestas Sailrocket 2. Neil Thomas

Is Sodebo only 10ft long then??

Is Sodebo only 10ft long then??

PY? How lame is that? Isn't that why God (read Mike Urwin) invented the Sportsboat Rule?

How does he manage to get any sleep at all! These are ferocious speeds he's maintaining for days on end. It does seem as though the Irens wave piercing bow "does what it says on the box". One also wonders how many times Francis stood Idec on it's nose as well.