The leader of the Vendée Globe, Armel Le Cléac'h, is already south of Australia. Banque Populaire VIII crossed the longitude of Cape Leeuwin in the SW of Australia at 0814 UTC on Monday 5th December after 28 days, 20 hours and 12 minutes of sailing, confirming the incredible pace that has been set since the start of the race in Les Sables d'Olonne on 6th November. The previous reference time was held by François Gabart with a time of 34 days 10 hours and 28 minutes. Armel has smashed the reference time set by François Gabart by five days, 14 hours and 16 minutes.