This group of ten at the head of the fleet, sailing exclusively aboard boats equipped with foils, should indeed seize a depression on Sunday between Brazil and the small archipelago of Trindade and Martin Vaz and then head towards the Cape of Good Hope.
If they manage to make the most of it, the leaders could return to the times of Armel Le Cléac'h in 2016-2017, who completed his world tour in the record time of 74 days.
Favors come out
After covering 523 miles in 24 hours, Charlie Dalin, second in the previous edition of this round-the-world race, is 47 miles ahead of Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable), and 61 miles ahead of Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable), who recovered third place at the expense of Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa).
Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V), now 6th, passed just ahead of Jérémie Beyou (Charal), who is almost edge to edge with Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB).
“From the moment we find ourselves stuck in its north, we should make a nice diagonal route to reach the South Seas”rejoiced Bestaven, the title holder, about the coming depression.
“The existing gaps with Charlie will continue to increase”urges the 51-year-old sailor, who also hopes to take advantage of the windfall to clear his closest competitors.
Samantha Davies (Initiatives-Coeur) took 10th place at the expense of Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team Snef).
“It’s not easy to keep up, especially for me who is positioned a little further east because I think I have a little less wind than the others,” underlined Justine Mettraux.
Ranking for the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe on Sunday at 7 a.m.:
1. Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) 20,206 nautical miles from the finish
2. Thomas Rettant (Vulnerable) at 47.09 miles
3. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) at 61.10 miles
4. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) at 66.04 miles
5. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) at 87.16 miles
6. Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V) at 106.34 miles
7. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) at 106.49 miles
8. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB) at 106.78 miles
9. Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) at 138.16 miles
10. Samantha Davies (Initiatives-Coeur) at 167.02 miles
…
16. Romain Attanasio (Fortinet – Best western) at 340.27 miles
…
39. Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe) à 1,924.39 milles
Abandon :
Maxime Sorel (V and B-Monbana-Mayenne)
