Leaders cross the equator
At the time of the earthlings' Sunday siesta, Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) and Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) crossed the equator. The Normand crossed it at 3:28 p.m. (2:38 p.m. UTC time), taking 12 days and 15 hours between Cape Horn and the equator, a great performance close to the record (11 days and 18 hours held by Boris Herrmann (Malizia ) during the 2020-2021 edition).
This new symbolic passage demonstrates that the outcome of the race continues to get closer. While they have been benefiting from the trade winds for two days, the eternal rivals are leaving no stone unturned and are keeping up the pace.
In their duel, Yoann was slightly faster than Charlie in the last 24 hours, even if the gap has changed little (128 miles). After the equator, it will already be time for the doldrums which they should cross during the night.
Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil, 3rd) smiles as he watches his routings now take him to the finish line. The Vendéen, who is progressing on starboard tack along Brazil, spoke of his 3rd place during the session: “I don't know if we get used to that, in any case I will continue to fight to consolidate my position. Without my starboard foil, I missed the train with the two leaders but that's part of the game. I'm lucky to have mild conditions, less difficult than my pursuers, I'm not going to complain about it. I can get my head out of the cockpit, the boat is sliding well… Afterwards I stay focused, I still have a long way to go. It's an incredible race, I can't wait to cross the finish line to fully appreciate it.“
Beyou-Lunven, the end of the common adventure? The big maneuvers continue in the chasing group, from Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE, 4th) to Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team Snef, 10th). Two options are emerging between those who are progressing in the East, like Thomas Ruyant, Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) and Nicolas Lunven (HOLCIM – PRB), and Jérémie Beyou (Charal, 7th) who is trying a more Westerly route. Would the Lunven/Beyou couple take a break? They who have been carrying out an anthology match race since their descent from the South Atlantic: “We almost did a world tour together,” laughed Nicolas Lunven on vacation.
460 miles further south, Benjamin Dutreux (Guyot Environnement – Water Family, 11th) and Clarisse Crémer (L'Occitane en Provence, 12th) are progressing in the same system. Samantha Davies (Initiatives Cœur, 13th) has gotten closer in recent hours without managing to get back together with the duo.
Le Cam, the “comeback” The day after passing Cape Horn, Jean Le Cam (Tout Commence en Finistère – Armor Lux, 16th) is about to catch up with Romain Attanasio (Fortinet Best Western, 14th) and Damien Seguin (Groupe APICIL, 15th). These two had no other choice but to head west and came up against an anticyclone, which benefited “King John” who should return to their level at the start of the week.
A little further on, it was Alan Roura (Hublot, 17th) who savored the pleasure of being Cape Horner for the third time. After having had to battle for the last few hours in virulent conditions, crossing this legendary milestone was synonymous with deliverance and intense happiness. Joined in the sessions, he says: “In the life of a sailor, we cry three times: when we buy a boat, when we round Cape Horn and when we sell our boat. There, it's super beautiful, the day has dawned, I see the blue sky for the first time in a long time. I had 55 knots of wind and it stopped as soon as I crossed it. The South Seas were long and hard on us, I didn't want to prolong the pleasure! It's a difficult race, you put your life on hold for four years but experiencing that makes you forget all the difficult moments. You know that you always have to keep hope and that it's never over!“
Isabelle Joschke (MACSF, 18th) and Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian, 19th) for their part preferred to slow down to let the “biggest” part of this depression pass. They resumed their journey this Sunday and are expected tomorrow morning at Cape Horn, in conditions which will remain bracing (6 meters of sea, 22 knots of wind).
The antimeridian for Denis Van WeynberghThose who point their bow behind are also starting to analyze the weather forecasts at Cape Horn. A new front is expected to pass through the area. If Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur – Duo for a Job, 20th) should manage to stay at the front of this front, it could concern the following group, led by Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare, 21st). Tanguy gives some comforting news, he who said he was very tired in recent days: “It's better! It's true that I had a little slack. The last few days were complex with the weather, the squalls, the detection of icebergs. There was fatigue and I wanted to share it. We have trouble sleeping and lucidity can go away quickly!“
At the back, everyone has their own concerns. Oliver Heer (Tut Gut., 30th) should arrive in the area where icebergs have been seen, which reinforces his vigilance and that of the race management. Manuel Cousin (Coup de Pouce, 33rd) and Fabrice Amedeo (Nexans – Wewise, 34th) must progress upwind and reaching for a few more days while a depression deepens to the east of New Zealand. It also concerns Denis Van Weynbergh (D'Ieteren Group, 35th) who has the luxury of going back in time. Since he is going to cross the antimeridian, the Belgian is preparing to experience two Sundays, which allows him to be the most advanced in time (it is already January 6 aboard D'Ieteren Group for a handful of hours. Enough to sing at the top of our lungs that “the last are first”!
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.
