Monday November 25
© METEO CONSULT Marine
The gaps continue to widen within the Imocas fleet this Monday. The 3 leaders (Option 1) Charlie Dalin, followed by Thomas Ruyant and Yoann Richomme, are the fastest because they benefit from the strongest winds, between 20 and 25 knots, closest to the depression which propels them on a direct route towards the Cape of Good Hope. The troop of around fifteen sailboats behind them advance in single file with gaps widening since the winds are less and less sustained, moving away from the depression. For the second group of boats, off the north-eastern horn of Brazil, after Violette Dorange, Jean Le Cam takes control (Option 2). It continues to head south under an easterly trade wind of 10 to 15 knots. The wind conditions are expected to become more complicated as the hours go by with a trade wind which should give way to a transition zone with weak wind conditions.Tuesday November 26
© METEO CONSULT Marine
This Tuesday, the leaders of the race (Option 1) will continue to progress at high speed in a narrow corridor, to the north of the depression which is heading towards the southeast. The gaps will continue to widen between the leading trio who will continue to progress on the port tack in more than 20 knots of wind while their pursuers will sail in a northerly wind of 15 to 18 knots. They will have to work hard to avoid falling too far behind and fine-tune their trajectory so as not to suffer any sluggishness. For the 2nd group (Option-2), the weather situation becomes complicated with the passage of a ridge associated with weak winds. They will therefore have to be patient and find a way to get out of this transition zone as quickly as possible. The gaps between IMOCA daggerboards and foilers will therefore widen further.Wednesday November 27
© METEO CONSULT Marine
This Wednesday, supporters of Option 1 will continue to progress on the back of the depression, towards the southeast. They will have to try to benefit as long as possible from this sustained northern regime. For the group of IMOCAs with daggerboards, much further north, they will have to get out of the ridge at all costs to find a little more wind on the edge of the Saint Helena anticyclone. Unfortunately, they will not have the same luck as the leading group who were able to seize the opportunity of the passage of a stormy depression propelling them towards the south-east.Cyrille Duchesne, meteorologist expert La Chaîne Météo / METEO CONSULTFind the METEO CONSULT Marine analysis every day in our special Vendée Globe file.
