Hampshire sailor Alex Thomson has teamed up with SailSolent to bring you expert analysis of the Vendée Globe race.

Alex was forced to retire from the event when a crack appeared in the hull of his yacht Hugo Boss.

Here he gives his expert opinion on all the ups and downs of the race as they unfold . . .

The current position of the main fleet for me is the worst part of the Southern Ocean, they are a long way from land and the risk of ice is severe. Everyone will be feeling isolated and this may tell in how conservatively they sail their boats.

Over the weekend we have seen Mike Golding shoot up the ranks to hold a solid fifth. In my opinion Ecover will be in the group to take the charge, and within this group Mike is the fastest Cape to Cape. Bahrain Team Pindar (Brian Thompson) and Roxy (Sam Davies) are having a close battle, Sam is doing an amazing job staying close to Brian on a boat that is two generations older. She really is sailing the boat well and it just goes to show how important time is on the water. The brute that is Pindar needs some good reaching to open the throttle properly, sailing deep downwind fast will be more difficult for Brian as Pindar is significantly heavier than Roxy.

Just behind them we have Aviva (Dee Cafarri), Toe in the Water (Steve White) and Artemis (Jonny Malborn). Dee is doing a great job despite the injury to her knee and I hope it heals before she gets deep south when agility onboard will be desperately needed. Steve White is doing an unbelievable job on a ten- year-old steed and no preparation time. Steve and Dee’s miles in the Artemis Transat will be helping them now while Jonny on Artemis is still learning how to get the most of his boat while having to deal with water maker issues he could really do without. Jonny is well placed, however, to make some miles as the next system sweeps south of him.