Cape Finisterre in sight for leader Charlie Dalin and the rest of the fleet

The French navigator Charlie Dalin (Macif), leader of the fleet of the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe, should overtake Cape Finisterre in Spain during the night from Monday to Tuesday, according to the update made by the organizers at 7:00 p.m. Monday, the day after the big start off the coast of Les Sables d'Olonne.

Dalin, big favorite of the event after his disillusionment with the 2021 edition (winner, he had been reclassified 2nd after a bonus granted to Yannick Bestaven, editor's note), was 21 nautical miles ahead of another Frenchman, Sébastien Simon ( Dubreuil), and 22 on the Briton Sam Goodchild. Winner in 2021, Bestaven (Maître Coq) is 4th while Paul Meilhat (Biotherm), author of the best start on Sunday, has fallen to 15th place, just ahead of Clarisse Crémer (L'Occitane)

“The wind will speed up”

After a second day at sea marked by still very mild conditions, the front of the fleet approached Cape Finisterre in Spain in the evening, where the wind was expected to strengthen for the first time in the race. “The leaders are expected at 9:00 p.m. at Cape Finisterre with a steady wind at night (20 to 30 knots) and cross seas”specified the organizers in a written message sent to AFP.

“The wind will pick up and that’s the first hot spot. It looks rather strong, but manageable so I'm going to put a smaller sail”British sailor Samantha Davies (Heart Initiatives) told AFP, delighted to have spent her first night under the stars. In the middle of the fleet, two skippers have already reported damage on board. Announced as one of the favorites, the German Boris Herrmann (Malizia), 28th, reported a cylinder problem.

For his part, the New Zealander Conrad Colman, 17th, mentioned a “electric blackout” after an already eventful start the day before due to a piece stuck in the engine propeller which occurred only a few minutes before the start.