“We're going to find ourselves right in the middle!”… The skippers caught in the depression are widening the gap with the rest of the fleet

The top nine in the standings, caught in a depression which allows them to reach high speeds, opened up a significant gap with the rest of the race on Wednesday.

The gap is widening at the head of the Vendée du Globe. As the fleet crosses the Atlantic diagonally to reach the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), Wednesday November 27, the first third separates from the rest thanks to a depression which allows it to reach considerable speeds. “The depression that accompanies us seems to be concentrated. Some people won't be able to stay on his back, while on our side, we'll find ourselves right in the middle of it!“, reveals Sébastien Simon (Dubreuil Group), third in the standings at 7 hours, 60 nautical miles (nm) from the leader, Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance).

The first nine are held within 250 nm, while the tenth, Samantha Davies (Initiatives-Coeur), is relegated to 414 nm, and the 20th, Arnaud Boissières (La Mie Câline), clocked in at 1421 nm, leads the way of a third group. “Unlike the boats in front which are ahead of the depression, we are just behind it. So we suffer a little from these pangs but we move forward.”commented Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée), 18th at 914 nm.

A significant advance which remains to be accentuated. Already because the Saint Helena anticyclone will settle in the area, slowing down the pursuers. But also because the Race Direction has chosen to reduce the Antarctic Exclusion Zone (AEZ), the imaginary crown drawn around the Antarctic continent prohibited to skippers for their safety. “This change will allow us to get into the Indian Ocean but also shorten the theoretical route a little.”analyzes Sébastien Simon.

The fact remains that the leading pack of nine skippers must also deal with speed, sought after but also difficult to manage for the skippers. “I’m in the right car and in one piece so that’s the main thing,” welcomes seventh Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable). “I really try to always sail with the same intensity, with a fairly stable average speed and a tight trajectory, because that's what's interesting over time to preserve the equipment and not do stupid things and establish a bit of a operating routine for sure, we've been at over 20 knots all the time for a few days now!concludes Paul Meilhat (Biotherm), who brings up the rear of the leading group in 9th place (249 nm).