Intro:

Francois Gabart continued to lead as the Vendee Globe race entered its 65th day on Sunday.

Script:

Francois Gabart continued to lead as the Vendee Globe race entered its 65th day on Sunday.

Gabart is 252 miles ahead of Armel Le Cleac'h and 605 ahead of Jean-Pierre Dick.

In the past 24 hours, the situation at the head of the fleet has changed considerably.

On Saturday the deficit between Macif and Banque Populaire was 169 miles, a day later it was 252 miles, a difference of 83 miles.

On Saturday Jean-Pierre Dick declared his desire to unleash his assault on the front two boats, starting with Armel Le Cleac'h.

Meanwhile Alex Thomson's shortcut up the Brazilian coast looks to have been an inspired move - and although he is still 50 miles behind Dick he is definitely still in contention.

The gamble has gifted Thomson 250 miles and put him firmly back in the race since he rounded Cape Horn last week.