At the 7 p.m. check-in on Tuesday, Charlie Dalin (Macif) and Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) are more than 300 miles ahead of the rest of the fleet.
A duo stood out at the head of the Vendée Globe on Tuesday: Charlie Dalin (Macif) and Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) were now racing more than 300 miles from the rest of the fleet, but were also heading into a very violent storm. At 7:00 p.m., while Dalin is only 41 nautical miles ahead of Simon, Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea), third, is 360 nautical miles behind the leader.
The two skippers, having chosen the southernmost route among the nine leading sailors, have further widened the gap on the rest of the troop, but they will also be the most exposed on Wednesday to the first big blow of this 10th Vendée Globe . “We have a big depression coming and it’s going to take us (…) I hope it goes well, I’m a little apprehensive. It’s calm there and I admit that it feels good”declared Simon, 34, to the race organizers at the end of the morning. “It’s going to be a very unpleasant 48 hours. We’re trying to move a little further north. I think we’re going to turn our backs to try to get through this delicate moment.”he estimated.
On the menu, waves exceeding seven meters, 35 knots of established wind (65 km/h) and gusts of more than 50 knots. The duo’s first pursuers therefore all headed north-east upstream to further preserve their boat. Further west, the straight daggerboard boats, led by Jean Le Cam, in 20th position, were approaching the Cape of Good Hope where conditions will also be very tough from Wednesday.
Vendée Globe ranking Monday at 7:00 p.m. (GMT+1) :
1. Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) 15,828.24 nautical miles from the finish
2. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) 41.71 nautical miles from first
3. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) at 364.06 mins
4. Thomas Rettant (Vulnerable) at 382.03 mins
5. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) at 562.29 nm
6. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB) at 562.70 mins
7. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) at 648.23 mins
8. Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V) at 679.13 minutes
9. Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) at 697.57 mins
10. Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team Snef) at 1,133.38 mins
…
39. Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe) à 4,235.71 mn
Abandon: Maxime Sorel (V and B-Monbana-Mayenne)
