The race embarked from western France on November 6 with 29 competitors -- 22 remain -- with the winner expected back on France's Atlantic coast by January 20.

Standings at 1700 GMT:

1. Armel Le Cleac'h (FRA/Banque populaire VIII) at 10,670 nautical miles from the finish

2. Alex Thomson (GBR/Hugo Boss) at 115.99 miles

3. Paul Meilhat (FRA/SMA) at 1277.65

4. Jeremie Beyou (FRA/Maitre Coq) at 1397.31

5. Yann Elies (FRA/Queguiner-Leucemie Espoir) at 1970.79

6. Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA/StMichel-Virbac) at 2104.94

7. Jean Le Cam (FRA/Finistere Mer Vent) at 2290.65

8. Thomas Ruyant (FRA/Le Souffle du nord) at 2908.44

9. Louis Burton (FRA/Bureau Vallee) at 3286.82

10. Stephane Le Diraison (FRA/Compagnie du lit Boulogne Billancourt) at 4209.65