Frenchman Armel Le Cleac’h was back in command of the the round-the-world Vendee Globe race yesterday, taking advantage of stiffer winds on the more southerly course he charted.

Le Cleac’h had led the ocean-going epic for over two weeks until he slipped to fourth place behind countrymen Francois Gabart and Jean-Pierre Dick and Swiss sailor Bernard Stamm on Friday.

But with the three leading boats coming out of the Crozet “ice-gate” in the southern Indian Ocean into calmer conditions, Le Cleac’h was able to move back ahead having sailed further south to boost his speed.

At 0400 GMT yesterday, the leading five boats were all within 127 nautical miles of each other, Britain’s Alex Thomson holding steady in fifth place.

In all 13 boats remain in the hunt for sailing’s toughest test 29 days after the race, which is held every four years, set off from the French port of Les Sables d’Olonne. They are due to arrive back in about two months time.

Standings

1. A. Le Cléac’h (FRA); 2. F. Gabart (FRA); 3. J.P. Dick (FRA); 4. B. Stamm (SUI); 5. A. Thomson (GBR); 6. M. Golding (GBR); 7. J. Le Cam (FRA); 8. D. Wavre (SUI); 9. J. Sanso (ESP); 10. A. Boissières (FRA).

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