Jonny Malbon has crossed the equator for the first time as a solo sailor in the Vendée Globe. Unfortunately, this achievement was overshadowed by technical trouble on board his IMOCA 60 which has temporarily limited his communications.
"We are hoping that a solution will be found but until such time Jonny will have to use the iridium sat system for weather downloads and communications," said his support team. "This system is a lot slower and will not allow him to send videos from the boat and will also limit photos.”
After 16 days of sailing, just 50 miles cover first to fifth as the leading group. Several skippers throughout have engaged in some great battles with their nearest rivals as backing winds allow them to sail for speed.
Official Vendee Globe site
Leader: Loïck Peyron - Gitana Eighty
British rankings
6- Mike Golding GBR, (ECOVER 3) 11- Brian Thompson GBR, (Bahrain Team Pindar) 14- Sam Davies GBR, (ROXY)16- Dee Caffari GBR, (AVIVA) 19 - Steve White GBR, (Toe in the Water) 20 - Johnny Malbon GBR, (Artemis)