Welshman Alex Thomson's decision to take a different route from the two sailors in front of him has put him back into contention for the Vendee Globe round-the-world race as he bids to become the first non-French winner.
Alex Thomson competes on his monohull "Hugo Boss" during the 7th edition of the Vendee Globe in Les Sables d'Olonne, western France, on November 10, 2012. Thomson's decision to take a different route from the two sailors in front of him has put him back into contention for the Vendee Globe round-the-world race as he bids to become the first non-French winner.
Frenchman Francois Gabart continues to lead and has pulled 146 nautical miles ahead of compatriot Armel Le Cleac'h, but Thomson has pulled himself back into contention in third place by taking a more westerly route.
The remaining twelve boats from an orginal starting fleet of 20 are sailing in south Atlantic waters close to the latitude of Rio de Janeiro although Thomson's decision to sail closer to the coast has seen him slash his deficit to 320.3 miles.
The 38-year-old is bidding to become the first Briton to win the race that has seen only French winners since its inauguration in 1989.
He moved past Jean-Pierre Dick earlier in the week to go third thanks to taking a route closer to the coast with still more than half the Atlantic Ocean to cover and the finish over 4,700 miles away.
Sea conditions have been very rough and are expected to calm down in the upcoming days which may slow down Thomson's progress on the leading duo of Gabert and Le Cleac'h.
"It is all on for third place. First or second need the guys ahead to be slowed by weather or problems. Doldrums and Azores High are both potential opportunities," Thomson told bbc.co.uk.
"I wanted to get out of the south and away from the gales so badly. This race is not over till it's over so no back slapping yet.
"Having done this race twice before and not finished, the pressure for me is to finish."
Compatriots Ellen MacArthur who came second in 2001 and Mike Golding's third place finish in 2005 were the closest occasions a British sailor has come to winning the solo unassisted 24,000 mile race.
The race winner is expected towards the end of January.
Standings (at 0800 GMT):
1. François Gabart (FRA/Macif) 4,713.4 nautical miles from the finish
2. Armel Le Cléac'h (FRA/Banque Populaire) at 146 miles
3. Alex Thomson (GBR/Hugo Boss) 320.3
4. Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA/Virbac-Paprec 3) 442.2
5. Jean Le Cam (FRA/SynerCiel) 1,564.3
6. Mike Golding (GBR/Gamesa) 1,705
7. Dominique Wavre (SUI/Mirabaud) à 1,990.1
8. Javier Sanso (ESP/Acciona) 2,043.7
9. Arnaud Boissières (FRA/Akena Verandas) 2,053.4
10. Bertrand de Broc (FRA/EDM Projets) 3,372.2