Yann Elies (Generali – Europ Assistance) climbs up to first place on latest pole

Yann Elies moves into the lead on the latest pole spearheading a small runaway group consisting Frederic Duthil (BBox Bouygues Telecom), rookie sailor Yoann Richomme (DLBC), Damien Cloarec (Port de Plaisance Roscoff), Damien Guillou (La Solidarite Mutualiste) and Anthony Marchand (Espoir Region Bretagne) on course closer to shore. Jean Pierre Nicol (Bernard Controls) is positioned closest to shore and currently lies in 7th place.

Many of the favourites have fanned out across the middle of the course just under the direct route and although the distance to finish for some puts them up in 5th, like Eric Peron (Skipper Macif 2009).

Kito de Pavant (Group Bel) has opted for the most extreme westerly option offshore in the hope of reaching stronger breeze, which for now, appears to be paying off as he enjoys a good knot and a half more average boat speed, putting him currently in 37th place and six miles off the leader in terms of distance to finish.