crazy comeback from Nicolas Lunven who takes the lead

No one is stopping Nicolas Lunven anymore. The skipper of Holcim – PRB, who set an impressive twenty-four hour distance record in the Vendée Globe on Wednesday, allowing him to move from 38th place to 5th place on Wednesday, took control of the race at the start of afternoon this Thursday. At the 3 p.m. check-in, the 41-year-old biuzth and his 2022 foil boat took first place from Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa), 15.27 miles behind. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) completes the leading podium which finds itself alongside the Canaries.

Lunven, double winner of the Solitaire du Figaro in 2009 and 2017, continues his crazy rise in the rankings which he owes, according to him… to a favorite pair of socks. “The temperature is rising a little, I took off Peter Blake's boots and red socks (a sailor who died in 2001) that my mother gave me just before departure. It must be thanks to them this 24-hour record!”he explained with humor.

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The winds are softening a little and strategies will become a headache all the way to Cape Verde because the fleet is entering a very unstable zone. However, the differences remain small within the leading group. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) is just off the podium at 28.4 miles with Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) and Charlie Dalin (Macif) in his rearview mirror.

The 3:00 p.m. score:
1. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB) 22,937.6 miles from the finish
2. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) 15.3 miles from the leader
3. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) at 19.2 miles
4. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) at 28.2 miles
5. Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) at 29.7 miles
6. Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) at 55.7 miles
7. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) at 74.6 miles
8. Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée) at 75.5 miles
9. Justine Mettraux (Teamwork – Team SNEF) at 87.5 miles
10. Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Seaexplorer) at 88.5 miles