Rebound in the Vendée Globe! Sébastien Simon stole 1st place from Charlie Dalin and Yoann Richomme in the South Pacific. The battle rages between the foilers for victory…
The tenth edition of the Vendée Globe, the legendary solo sailing race around the world, is experiencing a new twist. As the boats progressed through the roaring forties of the South Pacific, it was Sébastien Simon who took the lead this Tuesday morning, ahead of Charlie Dalin and Yoann Richomme after a fierce duel.
Change of leader in points
The 32-year-old sailor, skipper of Groupe Dubreuil, dislodged Charlie Dalin (Macif Prévoyance Santé) from first place around 7 a.m. (Paris time) according to the latest ranking. Sébastien Simon only has a tiny margin of 2.35 nautical miles (around 4.3 km) over his two immediate pursuers who are neck and neck.
A very slim advance on the scale of this world tour of more than 40,000 km! But in this hotly contested Vendée Globe, every mile counts. Sébastien Simon managed to do well despite the loss of his starboard foil, thanks to a profitable strategic option slightly further north.
An average of 21.53 knots over 24 hours
The new leader, who is discovering his first Vendée Globe, was able to count on favorable conditions to widen the gap. It displays a average of 21.53 knots over the last 24 hoursor nearly 40 km/h, compared to just over 19 knots for Dalin and Richomme. But nothing is decided, the wind and the rankings can turn very quickly.
It’s good to wake up and realize that you are in the lead, first by receiving Whatsapp messages then by updating the map!
Sébastien Simon, skipper Dubreuil Group
At the helm of his latest generation boat equipped with foils, the Nantes resident is savoring this moment in the lead while remaining focused on his trajectory and his settings. Because the Dalin-Richomme threat is always present in its wake. The three men are less than 3 miles apart after more than a month of racing!
Breathless suspense halfway through
This 2024 Vendée Globe promises to be one of the tightest in history. Halfway through the race, several skippers are in a tight spot, waging a merciless battle with trajectories, adjustments and strategic choices. The latest generation foilers have taken power at the head of the race but must manage their high-tech equipment in the face of repeated assaults from the southern seas.
Behind the Top 3, Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) occupies fourth place, almost 600 miles from the leader. He is a short head ahead of Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB) and Jérémie Beyou (Charal). The fight for the podium but also the Top 10 rages in the South Pacific, with twists and turns almost daily.
Heading for the hardest part
If the new leader and his pursuers relish their position, they know that the hardest part is yet to come. The southern seas have their share of violent depressions, excessive waves and icy winds. Maintaining the pace over time while preserving the equipment will be the key.
The competitors must still negotiate the Pacific, round Cape Horn, go up the South Atlantic then face the crossing of the Equator and the Doldrums before returning to Les Sables d’Olonne. So many traps and challenges to face in this Vendée Globe full of surprises. French sailing holds its breath!
