Rest assured: the major balances of the race did not change overnight. Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance, 1st) and Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA, 2nd) have benefited from more lively conditions since yesterday afternoon. “They left the calm zone yesterday and are heading due north with the trade winds which are gradually strengthening,” explains Fabien Delahaye from the race director. Charlie has a slight advantage: first to have hit strong wind, he was able to widen the gap a little (120 miles). “They are on the verge of takeoff, Charlie must be able to fly and not Yoann, which explains the speed differential for the moment.” Behind the duo and Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil, 3rd) who continues to advance due east, the chasing group is in the process of rebuilding. The setbacks of Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE, 4th), victim of damage to D2, benefit Paul Meilhat (Biotherm, 5th) who is only 50 miles from the Northerner. In addition, Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB, 6th) confided that his “masthead cap, with all the antennas, was torn off. Finding the right route, knowing what sail to put on, how to trim the boat, it's not easy, it's a bit of a challenge! » Furthermore, Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Seaexplorer, 8th) and Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE, 9th) are stuck in the center of the depression and are moving at less than six knots, which benefits their direct competitors. “The race is a bit on hold”
1,300 miles further south, Jean Le Cam (It all begins in Finistère – Armor-lux, 16th) has just crossed Cape Horn, at 7:01 a.m. (French time). “It is at the front of a depression and benefits from low wind conditions,” explains Fabien. The depression in question will strengthen, which will complicate the task for the next three – Alan Roura (Hublot, 17th), Isabelle Joschke (MACSF, 18th) and Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian, 19th) – who should pass the legendary milestone in the evening or early next night. Giancarlo, in fact, returned to his race even though he had to deal with rudder problems.
For her part, Violette Dorange (Devenir, 27th) continues to enjoy and be amazed. She, who is delighted to evolve within a group of nine skippers led by Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare, 21st), came across Louis Duc (Fives Group – Lantana Environnement, 26th) for the 5th time during the night. Above all, she saw snow falling yesterday and can't believe it.
Fabrice Amedeo (Nexans-Wewise, 34th), is nearly 7,000 miles behind the leader. However, the sailor seems to have found a form of fulfillment. Certainly, the proximity to Manu Cousin (Coup de Pouce, 33rd) is “reassuring like a traveling companion” but “makes it complicated to sleep because we want to avoid collisions”, says Fabrice. But the main thing is elsewhere, like the auroras australis which he immortalized two days ago.
Find our every day race weather analysis with METEO CONSULT Marine in our special report Vendée Globe and follow the skippers live thanks to the cartography.
