Vendée Globe: first front, first sweats [Vidéo]

Winds of 30 knots, gusts to 40 knots. It was announced, planned, anticipated. And yet, this first passage of the front shook the 40 solo sailors. Without exception. Like a first uppercut after a quiet first round. “A “night of m…, a hassle”, according to Éric Bellion who had a hard time. “At one point, I didn’t know what to do anymore,” he says. Even Charlie Dalin, impressive leader on Monday, didn't like this moment: “Luckily we don't experience this every day.”

Two ankle injuries

The tough conditions shook the mounts. Another favorite, Thomas Ruyant discovered a leak in his sail locker, at the front of the boat. The Dunkirk resident admits to “pumping the water regularly” but believes he “has the situation under control”.

More annoying, the ankle injuries of two competitors: Jingkun Xu “hopes not to suffer a fracture”. The first Chinese in the Vendée Globe admits to having all the difficulty in the world getting around in his boat. “This really hurts me…” As for Maxime Sorel, he says he was injured during a maneuver: “I couldn't reduce my mainsail, I tried everything. In my battle, I injured my right ankle. It’s slightly swollen, we’ll have to keep an eye on that.”

The first front caused a few sweats here and there. He woke up the entire fleet a little rudely.

Goodchild without intention

More than 48 hours after the start, we observe 223 miles (413 km) between the first, Sam Goodchild, and the last, Jingkun Xu. A Goodchild who stole the leadership from Dalin in the afternoon. And to think that he didn't even do it on purpose: “I didn't really look for this first place, it's a nice surprise,” said the Briton. In the coming hours, the pace will drop a notch, with the weather forecast calling for a wind of less than 10 knots between the Canaries and Cape Verde.