It allows him, above all, to look forward with enthusiasm to the rest of the competition: “ after the slowdown linked to the ridge during the last 24 hours, we will benefit from this front which will allow us to go fast, for a long time and to cover a lot of miles. It's a hell of a regatta, it's fun and we're determined not to give up! » Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) does not say anything else even if he is currently being caught up by the group made up of Boris Herrmann (Malizia-Seaexplorer, 10th), Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team Snef, 11th), Samantha Davies (Initiatives Cœur , 12th) and Clarisse Cremer (L’Occitane en Provence, 13th). But he will also come back on those who are ahead of him. “ We're going to touch up some wind and reverse the roles, he explains. It's classic from the South Seas, the gaps are made and undone and the elastic stretches and tightens again ».
Seguin in the tough, Soudée leaves again
Behind, the news is reassuring for Damien Seguin (17th). The APICIL Group skipper is stuck in the strong depression which took over part of the fleet during the week. And in these Dantesque conditions – around forty knots, 7 meter waves –, after a luff start, the chainplate of the outrigger rod was torn off, causing a hole in the hull. While repairing, he suffered an impact which caused pain in his neck and knee. Nevertheless, Damien continues to progress along the ZEA (Antarctic Exclusion Zone), on port tack, and nothing is easy. “ There will still be strong winds at around forty knots, gusts to 50 knots and rough seas with 8 meters of waves.specifies Christian Dumard. The next few hours will be complicated and it will last at least until tomorrow evening ».
For Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com, 30th), very bracing conditions are expected on Sunday evening with 60 knots of wind and gusts of 70 knots. He assures that he wants to play it safe, he who has not been spared in recent days. His J2 damage after a luff departure pushed him to climb the mast in very rough seas. He now has to deal with a problem with his rudder systems and only has one functional hydrogenerator. But Guirec holds on and is almost amused: “ You're obviously super happy when you solve a problem. But if I didn't have any left until the end, I wouldn't mind either ! »
Every day, sailors resist, always pushing their limits a little further and holding on. Jingkun Xu (Singchain Team Haikou, 34th) is the best illustration of this. For almost 20 days, he has suffered from persistent inflammation in his right shoulder. “ This injury has a big impact on me, he confided this morning. It hurts me a lot when I change the sails in particular. It's part of the risks at sea, I know I have to overcome the problem “. In the Vendée Globe, every little step definitely counts as a victory.
