skipper Guirec Soudée under the threat of icebergs

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In 28th place Vendée Globe this Thursday, January 2, 2025, the skipper of Côtes-d’Armor Guirec Soudée is not at the end of his troubles.

As it approaches Point Nemo – the furthest point from any land – it continues to progress towards the mythical Cape Horn.

After having faced difficulties more often than not, he kept in his sights the 21st, Tanguy Le Turquais, who was only 130 miles from his Imoca, Freelance.com

Still sail problems

Meritorious, because “his sail problems and in particular the gennaker which is out of order, prevented him from fighting on equal terms with his playmates this week”, underlines his team.

The cause is the lack of two of its main sails, the J2 and especially the gennaker, which it has no longer used since the Indian Ocean.

After 52 days of racing, he promises above all not to give up!

The young skipper of Plougrescant continues to progress in the South Seas, displaying great enthusiasm: “Everything is going well, I'm in the mood! » he confided this Thursday morning.

More DIY…

In the Pacific, conditions are more comfortable with a fairly regular wind and flatter seas. This week, he was able to compete with other competitors. Long alone, he sailed by sight with several sailorsincluding Arnaud Boissières and Éric Bellion with whom he was side by side at Christmas time.

The lighter conditions allowed him to repair the J2 clew this weekend.

“Moreover, he is still waiting for better conditions to secure the boat and unfurl the gennaker on deck.”

Under the threat of icebergs

Guirec Soudée must, however, watch out for the icebergs which have been seen not far from his route. Now is the time to be cautious, and he had to change his route after spotting “fairly large” icebergs. “ It's a little stressful anyway ! “, he admits, glued to his radar and his cartography.”

It must be said that he knows the damage that a collision can cause, having experienced it during his first world tour with Monique, his famous hen.

I've already caught ice at 4 to 5 knots with a steel boat and it wasn't very pleasant. So with a carbon boat, I prefer not to think about it!

To cope with this, he goes outside “every 20 minutes”.

However, nothing to dampen his New Year's Day: the skipper duly marked January 1, 2025 by wishing a Happy New Year with party favors, a golden bow tie and a smile across his shoulder. “It’s a party aboard Freelance.com. I wish you a great year and lots of adventures! »

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