“No more anticyclone, slack zones and mildness. We will have to get used to the rhythm of the South Seas, get used to the cold and accept the sounds of the boat in rough seas,” commented Fabrice Amedeo (Nexans – Wewise) who, like all the others, would have almost gotten used to sailing in relatively mild conditions since leaving Sables d'Olonne except that obviously, it could not last forever on an exercise such as a round the world trip. “We had to leave the shorts and t-shirt at some point,” confirmed Damien Seguin, who has been adapting for 24 hours. “Four years ago, I remember experiencing this transition abruptly because it happened overnight. It's the same this time. The change is much less weighted in this direction than in the other direction, when we move from the tropical zone to the North Atlantic,” added the APICIL Group skipper. On board IMOCAs, life is slowly reorganizing. The sailor's equipment too.
Know how to show humility“These South Seas, they are a little scary and at the same time, they are extremely attractive. These are wild places. We go through it with humility, on tiptoe, apologizing for being there, in the middle of all this wild nature,” added Fabrice Amedeo who knows, having already experienced it, that he is preparing to cross an invisible border. A border which will undoubtedly mark a turning point in his adventure. “A change of scenery is precisely what we are looking for. All that remains is to place the cursor where we really want it. We manage everyone at our own level. We all have distinct perceptions. Different boats and stories too,” Damien Seguin rightly recalled. Because that’s what it’s all about: measuring the risks that we are prepared to take or not. This is also the question that a certain number of sailors and in particular the leaders are already asking themselves. Around Marion and Prince Edward Islands, they face a dilemma. In this case, they must decide the most judicious way to negotiate a depression that is tumbling behind them. The rather active kind, with biscuits that would make Popeye jealous.
A story of compromise“Going to the middle doesn't really appeal. There are two options left: go south or go north. In the first case, it's a bit risky but it shortens the road. In the second, you have to be sure not to find yourself stuck in the sluggish area and therefore spend three days more than necessary in the Indian,” explained Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE). For now, neither he nor his adversaries seem to have decided. The task is made all the more difficult as the weather models conflict and as a bonus, on the water, large areas of soft water have decided to play Chamboule-tout. “This morning, instead of progressing at 20 knots towards the East, I progressed at 5 knots towards the South. Everything will therefore depend on the timings, knowing that in the Indian, everything moves very quickly,” warned the British navigator whose trajectory in the hours that follow, just like those of his direct competitors, will give first indications.
Find our daily weather analysis of the race with METEO CONSULT Marine in our special Vendée Globe report.
