Rivals extend Vendee duel

Le Cleac'h marginally extended his lead in his Banque Populaire craft by 50 nautical miles on his Hugo Boss rival.

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