When exactly is this Cape of Good Hope due? The question is on everyone’s minds this Thursday, as the six skippers clinging to the lead of the race are within 110 miles. The podium remains the same, between Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance), the Sébastien Simon rocket (Dubreuil Group) and Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable). By Friday evening, all these beautiful people should have reached the emblematic landmark located in the south of Africa, a real gateway to the Indian Ocean. On this 18th day of racing, 20 Minutes takes stock of everything you need to know about this 2024 Vendée Globe.
- A Top 6 already untouchable?
The speed of the six leading skippers has been simply hellish for several days. Of course, the world record (615.33 miles covered, or 1,139.6 km at an average speed of 25.64 miles) for the distance covered in 24 hours on Wednesday, signed Sébastien Simon (2nd overall), was once moved those close to him and left some of the competition behind. Former leader Sam Goodchild (7th) is now 198.5 miles behind Charles Dalin. This is obviously not a definitive gap, after “only” 18 days of racing, but the foils are more dominant than ever.
“The foilers, they are untouchable, the speeds and the gaps are crazy. It’s a Vendée Globe for foilers and for foilers,” summarized Romain Atanasio on Wednesday evening (Fortinet – Best Western), currently 15th in the race at more than 1,000 miles. “Even when I’m in the same weather system as them, I can’t go as fast as them,” continues the navigator, who is only aiming for the Cape of Good Hope by the middle of next week.
- The ranking this Thursday morning
1. Charlie DallinMacif Santé Prévoyance), 17,910.6 miles from the finish
2. Sébastien Simon (Dubreuil Group), 19.4 miles from the leader
3. Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable), 26.5 miles from the leader
4. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa), 51.3 miles from the leader
5. Jérémie Beyou (Charal), 98.3 miles from the leader
6. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB), 105.4 miles from the leader
- “Giving up is not in the blood”, proclaims Justine Mettraux
If Justine Mettraux remains 13th, the Swiss has been in difficulty since Wednesday, victim of damage. Her headsail will remain unusable until the end of the Vendée Globe, but there is no question of her letting herself be defeated aboard her Imoca Team Work – Team Snef. She even stuck her mantra in English: “Giving up is not in the blood, it’s not in the blood.” Strength to her.
- « Marina Foils » battle and bet on the long term
Marina Foilsthe boat of 20 Minutes on Virtual Regatta, continues its descent from the Atlantic towards the Cape of Good Hope and will begin its maneuver towards the east at the end of the day. Our skipper has lost a few places but he remains roughly in the 300,000 mark.
Our file on the Vendée Globe
This little tumble was planned: by seeking the south wind as much as possible, he was overtaken by the impatient people who had already started their turn. But the latter may regret it, because the next depression is not expected to go too far north. And if the revenge of Marina Foils started from there?
