17. This is the number of skippers who took up residence at the racing center off the coast of Lorient La Base, out of the 40 initially set out at sea for the Vendée Globe. There are currently six abandonments. Charlie Dalin has already arrived in Vendée, this Tuesday January 14, 2025. He wins this 2024 edition, with a record time of 64 days, 19 hours, 22' and 49''. But the 2024 edition of this legendary event is not yet over for its competitors.
Skippers neck and neck
Among the Lorient residents still in competition, Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) is currently ranked 2nd. The double winner of the Route du Rhum in Class40 and recent winner of The Transat CIC should arrive this Wednesday, January 15 in the evening, or Thursday morning. The one making his first Vendée Globe is closely followed by Jérémie Beyou (Charal). This regular, whose son works for one of his competitors, Thomas Ruyant, is positioned in 4th place. The Briton Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable 2) follows closely, with a 5th position in sight in the general classification. Brestois Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) is not very far away. He should occupy 6th place.
Next comes Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable 1) who signs his third participation in the Vendée globe. The Northerner is currently 8th. For her first race, Switzerland's Justine Mettraux (Teamwork Team Snef) is in 9th place. A great position for someone who is regularly in the Top 10 of the races in which she takes part. Although tipped for victory, the German Boris Herrmann should rank 10th.
No abandonment on the Lorient side
The other skippers based in Lorient who are not part of the Top 10 are not left out. This is particularly the case of Samantha Davies (Initiatives coeur) who, for the moment, is 13th. The sailor travels the oceans for the benefit of children with heart diseases who cannot be hospitalized in their country of origin. This professional achieved the best women's time in 2008 (on Roxy).
-Romain Attanasio (Fortinet-Best Western) could finish 14th. He was 10th at the last Route du Rhum. As for Damien Seguin, he is currently ranked 16th. And Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare) occupies 21st place. The first skipper to circumnavigate the world without fossil fuels and returning after a first participation in 2016, Conrad Colman ranks 22nd. For the moment, no skipper based in Lorient is among the six abandonments recorded.
