Can Dalin and Richomme beat Le Cléac'h's record?
For several weeks, Yoann Richomme and Charlie Dalin have been battling it out at the top of the Vendée Globe. If the native of Fréjus passed Cape Horn in the lead during the Christmas holidays, the Norman took back control of the race this Monday. With more than 4000 nm to go, can one of the two skippers become the new record holder for the event, erasing Armel Le Cléac'h (74 days, 3 hours and 35 minutes in 2017) from the shelves? Everything is possible, but two big obstacles await French navigators: the doldrums, located in the Equator zone, and the Bay of Biscay.
According to Arnaud Gaist, who participated in the Golden Globe Race 2022 (single-handed non-stop world tour, assistance and electronics), the first city is a real “level crossing“. “It is a tropical inter-convergence zone. Either the skippers pass like flowers, or they find themselves stranded (due to lack of wind). No one can predict this in advance. You may have all the weather data, but there is still a bit of Russian roulette when the doldrums pass“Then, it's time for the passage of the Bay of Biscay.”It will also be decisive, explains Arnaud Gaist. There are usually storms there. Boaters don't go there in January and there's a reason.”
When could they arrive at Les Sables d’Olonne?
Currently off the coast of Brazil, Charlie Dalin and Yoann Richomme continue to nibble since passing Cape Horn. At the rate at which the two skippers left, is it imaginable to see them disembark in Les Sables d'Olonne in 15 days? “Until the last moments, everything is still possible and they themselves know itassures Arnaud Gaist. But if all the planets are aligned and they negotiate everything well, Charlie Dalin and Yoann Richomme can be back on January 15“The former participant of the Golden Globe Race has a dream: that the two skippers”hold out until the last minute“. In the past, the Vendée public has already been able to attend this type of duel live as in 2013 with the duo François Gabart-Armel Le Cléac'h (3 hours apart).
Who is most likely to win?
Since the end of November, Charlie Dalin and Yoann Richomme have occupied the Top 3 in the Vendée Globe. Then in the South Pacific, in mid-December, the skippers of Macif Santé Prévoyance and Paprec Arkéa lost Sébastien Simon. In this home stretch, who has the best chance of winning? “One thing is certain, they must not sleep muchsmiles Arnaud Gaist. Charlie Dalin has many qualities, but if I had to choose one, I would say Yoann Richomme because he is a demi-god of the weather. He's really good at anticipating in this area..”
Did Simon set off to finish third?
It was off the coast of Antarctica that the native of La Roche-sur-Yon, who is participating in his second Vendée Globe (he abandoned during the 2020 edition), lost ground. But since December 25, when he was 664 miles behind the Dalin-Richomme duo, the 34-year-old skipper is gradually regaining ground. Before the New Year, the Vendéen had even returned to 303 miles from Charlie Dalin. “In two days, he can catch up and even more if the leading men are stuck in the doldrums“, estimates Arnaud Gaist.
What are the final issues at the end of the Vendée Globe?
Behind Sébastien Simon, Thomas Ruyant is well placed in fourth position. Behind the skipper of Team Vulnerable, Jérémie Beyou, Nicolas Lunven, Paul Meilhat, Sam Goodchild, Boris Heermann and Justine Mettraux are in a close position (100 miles between fifth and tenth).
In the rest of the ranking, the end of the race of Jean Le Cam (16th), Violette Dorange (26th) and Jingkun Xu (32nd) will be closely monitored. If the 65-year-old skipper, who is participating in his sixth Vendée Globe (second in 2005, retirement in 2009, fifth in 2013, sixth in 2017 and fourth in 2021), is one of those who left without foils, the youngest of the 'test has “taken the right options so far“, notes Arnaud Gaist. “His boat is obsolete. It's as if she were starting an F1 Grand Prix with a car from 10 years ago“, he adds.
As for Jingkun Xu, an arm amputee, he should inspire vocations in China. “He does not come from a country of sailors. I think he's having a good race and I won't be surprised if, thanks to him, there are other Chinese skippers in future editions.“, concludes the former participant of the Golden Globe Race.
