Vendée Globe | A leading group edge to edge in Madeira

() A group of eleven boats led by the Charlie Dalin (Macif) was on its way on Wednesday evening to overtaking the island of Madeira (Portugal) off the coast of Morocco with a slight lead over the rest of the fleet of the 10e Vendée Globe.


Posted at 8:36 a.m.

Updated at 2:45 p.m.

(1 p.m. Eastern time), Dalin had regained the lead in the general classification, posting a small lead of two miles over Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea) and three over Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable).

This leading trio, who already dominated the rankings the day before, saw a group of pursuers come dangerously close thanks to very stable weather in the North Atlantic.

Jérémie Beyou (Charal) and Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) were now less than ten miles from the three leaders and, a little further away, Nicolas Lunven had also found the leading pack after taking a risky but profitable western option.

PHOTO LOIC VENANCE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Jérémie Beyou’s ship (Charal)

The Breton, twice winner of the Solitaire du Figaro, moved from 38e Tuesday place at 7e in 24 hours, thereby setting the new record for distance traveled in one day aboard a monohull: 546.60 miles (11,012 km).

At the heart of the fleet, damage began to accumulate after three days of racing. Maxime Sorel (V and B-Monbana-Mayenne), injured in the ankle, decided to take shelter in Madeira to be able to climb his mast and repair a part that prevents him from hoisting the mainsail.

“I had to face the obvious: the hook is broken. I did not expect such a complicated start to the Vendée Globe,” said the Saint-Malo sailor, 10e of the last Vendée Globe.

The Hungarian skipper of New Europe Szaboles Weores, for his part, informed the race management that he had torn off two sails after leaving in the pile. Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence) lost her front mainsail at sea.

PHOTO LOIC VENANCE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES

At the heart of the fleet, damage began to accumulate after three days of racing.

“Without this sail, the next few days downwind in light airs are not going to be very fun. I lost a lot of energy, but the race is still long,” explained the 34-year-old sailor in a video sent from the edge.

All the skippers have passed Cape Finisterre and were still racing at the start of the evening. According to the organizers, this is the first time in twenty years and the 5e edition of the Vendée Globe.

Ranking of 10e edition of the Vendée Globe

  • 1. Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance): 23,212.52 nautical miles from the finish
  • 2. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa): 2.04 miles from first
  • 3. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable): 3.09 miles from first
  • 4. Jérémie Beyou (Charal): 6.43 miles from first
  • 5. Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable): 8.51 miles from first
  • 6. Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée): 26.40 miles from first
  • 7. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB) : 28.14 miles du premier
  • 8. Boris Herrmann (Malizia-Seaexplorer): 40.79 miles from the first
  • 9. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil): 45.84 miles from first
  • 10. Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V): 46.44 miles from first
  • […]
  • 40. Xu Jingkun (Singchain Team Haikou) 374 miles from first
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