Yann Eliès rescue is under way

[Source: Vendée Globe] The decisions have been made, everything is under way. So now unfortunately it can only be about waiting. For Yann Eliès any wait is too long, but the knowledge that help is on its way will be some comfort. The Royal Australian Navy’s 118 m long HMAS Arunta left dock in Perth at around 1800hrs GMT and can make 30 knots depending on the sea conditions, and so is expected to arrive in around 40 hours.

Marc Guillemot was making his best speed towards Generali and is believed to be about 15 miles (20h GMT) away while Sam Davies is heading east as fast as safely possible on Roxy to try and be of assistance to her friend who is a fellow team member from the Pole France Course Au Large training school at Port La Foret.

Highlights from day 39 of the Vendée Globe. 18 December 2008. Video copyright Vendée Globe

“I'm ready to anything I can to come to the help of Yann, and this is now my first goal. I'll stay alongside him for as long until the rescue team arrives, so that he is not alone. I'm doing as much as I can to get some rest to ensure I'm in good shape when I reach him."

Eliès has been advised to try to rest, to remain as still as possible and to try and focus on the fact that everything that can be done is being done to evacuate him as quickly as possible.

HMAS Arunta is one of the Royal Australian Navy’s eight long range Anzac class frigates which is capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. She has a full medical team on board.

Vendée Globe doctor Dr Chauve has been in regular contact with the Generali skipper, monitoring any changes and offering words of advice and encouragement.

Many skippers have volunteered their help and their teams ashore have sent messages of support. At the head of the fleet Michel Desjoyeaux continues to extend on Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) while Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) and Seb Josse (BT) are now more than 120 miles behind the leader.