Foncia

Michel Desjoyeaux is one of the world's greatest solo sailors. He has spent his life on boats and around the sea, and if there's anyone you could say has salt water in his veins, it's Michel. With the win for the 2000-01 edition under his belt, he is entering the 2008-09 Vendée Globe as a favorite to win, as nearly all of his competitors will tell you, but he won't say that himself.

Fast sailing speeds were not in the cards today for the solo sailors in the Artemis Transat single-handed sailing race. As forecast, the calms have enveloped the head of the fleet and the sailors have simply had to put up with the conditions as they try to extract themselves from this tricky zone.

Just in From Michel Desjoyeaux aboard the open 60 Foncia: "About two hours ago, I was upwind doing 10 to 11 knots, I was in the boat and I heard a crack. I felt the starboard daggerboard hit something - it's probably broken. I can't get it up more than 1.5 meters. I hope there won't be a big leak.

The purpose of single-design classes in racing are to even the playing field and highlight the skippers' skills. Thus, the leading pack of open 60's in the Artemis Transat is still very tight in terms of distance to the finish, after more than 800 miles spent at sea. The initial North vs. South tactical decision that has spread the leaders along the latitudes, and how that will pay off for the individual boats, is what some say will make this race. 3rd place Sébastien Josse says the dice were thrown 48 hours ago, while his rivals remain skeptical.