Frenchman Yves Parlier's lead in the Vendee Globe single-handed world race has been reduced from 150 miles to just seven miles in three days.

Parlier, who has led the non-stop event for 13 days, will be looking over his shoulder as compatriot Michel Desjoyeaux closes up on him.

The Frenchman has been frustrated by a patch of light winds that has reduced his speed to just four knots.

"Yves Parlier may not be able to see the exit but he knows it's not far away," said race organiser Philippe Jeantot.

"At four knots of speed his position may well be weak enough right now for Desjoyeaux to threaten his lead."

Pulled out

The leading boats will be hoping to sail into the stronger winds of the Southern Ocean and start reducing the miles in an easterly direction.

"Impatience cloaks each day and the sooner we get into the serious stuff the better," said Swiss skipper Dominique Wavre.

A total of 24 skippers began the race from Les Sables d'Olonne in France 23 days ago and four have already pulled out.

The vessels must navigate south down the Atlantic Ocean, round Antartica in an easterly direction before rounding cape Horn and sailing back up the Atlantic.

The record for the race is 105 days which was achieved by Frenchman Christophe Augin when the race was last sailed four years ago.