Simon, Dalin, Richomme, the three leaders of the ranking in a pocket handkerchief… Follow the position of the boats live

At 7 a.m. on Wednesday, the three boats were less than four kilometers apart.

In the South Pacific, the suspense is total over the Vendée Globe. New leader, Sébastien Simon (Dubreuil Group) maintains a margin of just over two nautical miles over Charlie Dalin (Macif Prévoyance Santé) and Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa). At 7 a.m. on Wednesday December 18, he had the same lead over his two closest pursuers, exactly 2.35 nautical miles, which represents 3.8 kilometers.

Third Tuesday morning, he took control and retained the lead, enjoying an average of 21.53 knots (40 km/h) over the last 24 hours, compared to just over 19 knots (35 km/h) for his two pursuers, but Richomme was the fastest of the three at 7 hours, with an instantaneous speed of 25.34 knots (47 km/h).

“It’s good for morale, it’s good to be on starboard tack too because, there, I have my foil and I can use 100% of my boat. I enjoy it a lot”, rejoices Sébastien Simon, for the moment not slowed down by the breakage of his starboard foil. Further north than his two adversaries, the latter says he is pushed by a favorable tailwind, but “suspects them of having small sailing problems”noting the “angular trajectories” by Yoann Richomme and Charlie Dalin.

Behind the three men, the fleet is unhooked. Fourth, Thomas Rettant is 588.49 miles behind the leader. In total, 36 boats are still in the race following the retirements of Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe), dead last, and Pip Hare (Medallia), both victims of damage.