« The current situation in the Pacific is rather exceptional at this time of year. It's quite rare not to see major depressions passing by. This Friday, a large part of the competitors are sailing in beautiful anticyclonic conditions. », Explains Christian Dumard, weather consultant for the event. At the moment, the Pacific Ocean indeed seems determined to honor his name. No titanic depressions. No, the usually turbulent giant chose the tranquility card. A rarity in this part of the globe, where chaos is often king. For the Vendée Globe skippers, this meteorological respite is almost disconcerting. The waters of the South, usually so wild, present themselves in a peaceful, almost serene light. It seems as if they have decided, for once, to play the good students. “It's cold but the weather is nice and the sea is so flat compared to what we experienced in the Indian Ocean! It’s happiness, happiness, happiness! », related Benjamin Ferreexcited like a hamster in an XXL wheel. “ It's royal! », confirmed for his part Sébastien Marsseta little surprised by these almost welcoming conditions, if we dare to use this term in the Deep South.
Relative calm, localized turbulence
If the southern summer is well underway for the skippers of Monnoyeur – Duo for a Job and FOUSSIER as well as for a large proportion of the peloton, some solo sailors are nonetheless experiencing particularly trying conditions. Antoine Cornicafter facing winds reaching 55 knots last night, remains under pressure this Friday. Same treatment for Oliver Lordwhich in turn absorbs the impact of the passage of the depression en route to the South-East. “ I'm going through a bit of a tricky period, and clearly, I prefer to put my running on hold temporarily until most of the bad weather passes. Safety first! », Confided the skipper of Tut Gut. during the official session this morning. This reminds us that the Pacific is never completely docile. But beyond these isolated episodes, the conditions are surprisingly mild for this region and this season. Even Cape Horn seems to have put on his bathrobe and sipped some chamomile. He waits less threatening than usual but still impressive. And if the skippers who are preparing to overtake it in the next 24 hours will not face it under a deluge of wind and waves, they are relishing this chance without letting down their guard. And for good reason, in these waters, caution remains the best ally because even when the ocean seems cooperative, no one is mistaken: the Pacific remains capricious, and the slightest sign of agitation could quickly remind the fleet of its power .
From the fury of the South Seas to the tactics of the Atlantic
« The wind is gradually getting stronger. Currently, there are 25 knots in the northern sector and it will continue to rise to 30-35 knots, with gusts to 40. Once in the Atlantic, it will suddenly ease with the wind from the Andes mountain range. . The transition promises to be quite brutal », explained Nicolas Lunven. After a month of fighting against the howling fifties and the intense cold, the skipper of Holcim – PRB aspires to leave the South Seas. For him and for the competitors around him, each mile traveled towards more lenient latitudes is progress towards more pleasant conditions. However, these will not necessarily guarantee easy navigation. “ At the beginning, you will have to make your way through this light air zone. Overall, the rise of the South Atlantic promises to be quite complicated, with quite a few changes in situation, quite dynamic phenomena, passages of low pressure centers and many other things », specified the Vannes resident who will therefore have to carry out sail changes, reefings, tacks but also stacking sessions. “ It's not going to be a long, quiet river straight ahead », assured Nicolas who should, in fact, know a section that is both technical and strategic up to the latitude of Rio de Janeiro.
Between rodeo and strategy
Same story or almost for the leaders, and in particular Yoann Richomme et Charlie Dallin. Relaunched at an average of more than 20 knots, their priority today is simple: to go around a small depression to the north while carefully avoiding the calm zone in its center. Here, there is no question of aiming for the bullseye like in darts, that would be the worst strategy. The issue? Head east as quickly as possible to tackle the next transition with fluidity. “We will have to decide this evening which route to take and it is not easy. There are large areas of light winds and it moves a lot. From one file to another, it varies considerably », Analyzed the skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance. Currently engaged in what he describes as a real “rodeo on an Argentine bull”, he nevertheless finds something to rejoice about. First, the temperatures are finally rising, to the point where he could almost consider taking out the t-shirt. Then, he strides away from the Antarctic Exclusion Zone, which he readily compares to a noisy neighbor that we are happy to leave. Finally, his routing predicts an express trip to Recife in just one week, with the added bonus of a possible arrival in Les Sables d'Olonne around January 14 or 15… just in time to enjoy the last king cakes!
