Alan Roura has crossed Cape Leeuwin

On the Vendée Globe, the two Geneva sailors continue their journey in the southern seas. If the front of the fleet, with Justine Mettraux, has already passed New Zealand, Alan Roura has just reached Cape Leeuwin, the second important mark of the race.

“I put booze in the coffee!” It is eight o’clock this Tuesday, December 17, Alan Roura reached the south of Australia in 19th position in his third Vendée Globe.

After Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin serves as the second important stop on the world tour. It promises an imminent entry into the Pacific Ocean, once Tasmania is crossed. “It’s cool,” rejoices the Geneva sailor. In three days, we’re halfway done and we’re leaving the Indian. And we’re getting closer to home!”

Justine Mettraux at the gates of the top-10

Further ahead, Justine Mettraux is already in the South Pacific. The Genevoise holds her eleventh place, just behind a group of four sailors. But before she can hope to enter the top-10, Justine Mettraux must face some tough weather: “It still has to hold up a little bit and then we will have done the hardest part. It will open up and it will be able to go back downwind, in conditions a little more lenient than that.”

Up front, a trio of skippers are vying for victory. But Justine Mettraux remains less than 400 nautical miles from the top-5. Alan Roura is in a small group of six boats, and can hope to move up to 17th place soon.