In Les Sables d'Olonne, the atmosphere has changed somewhat in recent days. Technical teams are busy setting up large structures and, in the newspapers, the history and rise of the leading duo are endlessly dissected. With the first competitors approaching, the Vendée Globe village is in full swing. Because for those mainly concerned, the routes now lead to the finish. And since yesterday, it's “RAS” for the duo who have dominated the race since the start of the Pacific. Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) and Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) are separated by 130 miles in the 3 p.m. rankings. Joined this morning at the sessions, Yoann Richomme, tired by the repetition of efforts, explained: “ Ultimately the doldrums were quite tiring even if it didn't last very long. At the moment, it's going quite quickly, 21 knots on average and it's moving a lot. There, it's simple, it's straight ahead for two days in the trade winds up to the Azores anticyclone. Once we get there, I have the impression that Charlie will be a little stronger, it's difficult to estimate. Above all, I try to keep the rhythm. I think that if the scenario remains stable, we will be there in eight days. I don't really realize it yet, even if I know it remains exceptional. It's not a transatlantic, it's a world tour and the boat is in great condition. It's magical! » Yoann Richomme, PAPREC ARKÉA.
What will be the gap between the first two at the finish? Specialists like to point out that there was only 2h31 between Yannick Bestaven and Charlie Dalin four years ago (following the time compensation which the skipper of Maître CoQ had inherited). In 2012, the gap between François Gabart and Armel Le Cléac'h stood at 3h17. Guest of Vendée Live this afternoon, Gabart returned to the battle of the moment: “When I see MACIF Santé Prévoyance with Charlie (Dalin) in the lead, it inevitably takes me back to my memories of the Vendée Globe. We had a battle with Armel (Le Cléac'h) which resembles the one between Charlie and Yoann. Managing pressure is part of the difficulty and magic of ocean racing. You have to know how to stay in the competition until the end. But it's a chance to have adrenaline and pressure until the finish. For me, that made the victory even sweeter. Even in the last minutes, I was pushing my boat to 100% of its potential and that's a privilege. And for the audience too, it’s great to have suspense until the end!” François Gabart.The third, Sébastien Simon, crossed the equator this morning at 7:08 a.m. (French time). It has also made its way into the doldrums, although it should not be slowed down much by storms and squalls. On the other hand, the Vendéen should not benefit from the winds of the low pressure system which is forming to the South-East of Newfoundland and which should push the leading duo.
© Sébastien Simon / Vendée Globe
A hell of a battle for the 'top 10'Concerning the pursuing group, the war of positions continues. We always observe two distinct strategies at the heart of a transition zone. On the one hand, those who favor the East including Jérémie Beyou (Charal, 4th) and Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE, 5th) and those who head further out to sea like Paul Meilhat (Biotherm, 9th) and Nicolas Lunven ( Holcim-PRB, 10th). The boats are worn out and technical problems are multiplying: Boris Herrmann (Maliza Seaexplorer, 6th) had to climb the mast after a problem with his crossbow (which allows the backstay to be reduced). During the sessions this morning, Sam Goodchild explained that everyone faces squalls that are sometimes very virulent: “I have one that is swelling and coming closer with lightning, wind rising… It looks very nasty, very strong and that's my concern at the moment. The East option was a bit closed due to a windless area and I felt the West option was less risky. At best, I gain three to four places, at worst I stay with my friends. We feel that the boats are tired even if I don't have any major problems to report. We all try not to take too many risks! » Sam Goodchild, VULNERABLE. Behind, the trio Benjamin Dutreux (Guyot Environnement – Water Family, 11th), Clarisse Crémer (L'Occitane en Provence, 12th) and Samantha Davies (Initiatives Cœur, 13th) will soon have to face a wind zone erratic and grainy. For his part, the experienced Jean Le Cam (Tout Commence en Finistère – Armor Lux, 14th) discreetly grabs two places, passing in front of the duo Damien Seguin (APICIL Group, 15th) and Romain Attanasio (Fortinet Best Western, 16th). While the two men are trying to sail upwind from the North, “King Jean” has decided to take a more Eastern option.A strong depression in the viewfinderA little further, everyone is focused on knowing how to position themselves in the face of a major depression which will form in the Andes mountain range and sweep over southern South America on Thursday. Isabelle Joschke (MACSF, 18th), Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian, 19th) and Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ V, out of the race) should be able to escape it. On the other hand, it should concern Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur – DUO for a JOB, 20th) who passed Cape Horn in the morning (at 8:47 a.m. French time). “It’s a race against time that is underway,” Benjamin explains in a video. The further ahead we are, the less we get hit on the head. There may be a mouse hole to look for but it’s quite distressing.”
While Violette Dorange (Devenir, 28th) assured that she is trying to slow down in view of this depression as she approaches the final milestone, Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com, 24th), after having hesitated for a while to put the foot on the brake, prefers to continue walking forward. As soon as they pass Cape Horn, the adventurer will take advantage of a calm zone to climb the mast to repair his J2 and his lazy-jack. With a smile on his face, he explained why he wanted to continue his progress at all costs: “I'm happy to be done with the Deep South and find myself in the Atlantic. But Cape Horn cannot be passed like that! I have 38 knots, gusts of over 50 knots are forecast, we are finishing the Pacific in style! I thought about slowing down like some people with the depression that follows. The problem is that you don't know what conditions you will have afterwards… I prefer to have two or three cartridges rather than having a headwind. We'll have to cut back and be careful, but that's part of the game! » Guirec Soudée, FREELANCE.COM.In the afternoon, the race organization learned that another skipper in this group, Éric Bellion (Stand As One – Altavia, 27th) was having to deal with technical problems. In question? Damage to the axis which holds the J2 stay during the night from Sunday to Monday. His team was keen to be optimistic, assuring that Eric had “managed to recover all the parts and repairs are possible”. A new adventure in this great adventure around the world. 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.
