Yoann Richomme widens the gap at the top of the Vendée Globe! The French skipper doubled his lead over Charlie Dalin after passing Cape Horn. Who will emerge victorious from this summit duel in the Atlantic? The answer in a few days…
The race for the lead in the Vendée Globe is intensifying! As of Saturday morning, skipper Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) increased his lead to nearly 90 nautical miles over his first pursuer Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance). A gap which has doubled in just 12 hours, enough to delight the sailor who is currently circumventing a depression off the coast of Montevideo.
The Richomme-Dalin duel at its climax
After a tricky passage around Cape Horn at the start of the week, the two leading skippers are now engaged in a fierce battle in the South Atlantic. Yoann Richomme, determined to widen the gap, was able to do well by maintaining speeds above 18 knots over the last 24 hours. His runner-up Charlie Dalin is struggling to exceed 15 knots and sees the leader escape.
This acceleration allows Richomme to give himself some breathing space before the next strategic difficulties:
The challenge – relatively big – is to reach the stationary cold front of Cape Frio quickly. You have to position yourself in relation to it and find a mouse hole to squeeze through. It's not that easy to do.
Yoann Richomme, skipper Paprec Arkéa
The battle for the podium rages on
Behind the leading duo, there is a veritable pack of pursuers lying in ambush. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), currently 3rd, has regained ground but is still 714 miles behind. He is narrowly ahead of Thomas Ruyant, Jérémie Beyou and Nicolas Lunven, all three in a close second.
These skippers will have to be extra vigilant in the coming days. The bypass of the Saint Helena anticyclone and the approach to the Brazilian coast promise to be key moments in the fight for podium finishes.
The incredible challenge of the South Seas
Even though they are now in the Atlantic, the Vendée Globe sailors have not finished with the Dantean conditions of the southern seas. As evidenced by the chilling words of Thomas Ruyant after passing Cape Horn:
We have just crossed oceans where we are not really welcome. We certainly find something there. An albatross came to play with the boat. Maybe my last one for a long time. I surprised myself for the very first time by talking to my boat which held up well and didn't make me dirty. It must be the ocean that makes you go a little crazy!
Thomas Ruyant, skipper LinkedOut
Words that remind us of the difficulty and dangerousness of this solo world tour. The sailors still in the race deserve all our respect and admiration for confronting these raging elements for months. Hats off, gentlemen!
The incredible epic of Yoann Richomme
Two years ago, no one would have bet a kopeck on Yoann Richomme for the final victory. And yet, the 38-year-old skipper is having a perfect race so far, in the lead almost since the start of Les Sables d'Olonne. A feat for this talented sailor but little known to the general public.
Winner of the Solitaire du Figaro in 2019, Richomme prepared in the shadow of the favorites for his first Vendée Globe. With method and determination, he knew how to make the right strategic choices at the right time to surprise the big names in ocean racing. As he begins the ascent across the Atlantic in pole position, many now see him as the overwhelming favorite.
The next decisive days
Even if he has a significant lead, Yoann Richomme knows that nothing is over yet. Weather traps multiply on the return route, with numerous transitions to negotiate before returning to the downwinds and trade winds.
Charlie Dalin, the local for the stage in the Atlantic, remains on the lookout for the slightest mistake from the leader to catch up. The differences can very quickly be reduced in these capricious latitudes. Victory at Sables d'Olonne will no doubt be decided in a pinch!
One thing is certain: this 2024 edition of the Vendée Globe has a thrilling and indecisive finale in store for us. The sailors will have to draw on their last physical and mental resources to complete this grueling world tour. As they approach Europe, an entire country holds its breath and accompanies them every mile they travel. See you in a few days for the epilogue of this extraordinary adventure!
