The skipper of Vulnerable, who is going at a good pace, retained control of the race ahead of Sébastien Simon.
Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) regained the lead of the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe on Wednesday and sailed nearly 27 miles ahead of his first pursuer Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), before tackling the dreaded Doldrums, and its weather unpredictable. In the early morning, Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) completes the leading trio 34 miles from the Briton, just ahead of Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance).
Still leader on Monday, Jean Le Cam (Everything begins in Finistère – Armor-Lux), passed between Cape Verde and the African coasts but who has now headed west, has fallen in the ranking since he is now in 13th position, nearly 150 miles from Goodchild. “The conditions are perfect to move the machine forward. She moves forward on her own. So I let her express herself”summarized Sébastien Simon to the organizers. “Practically everyone has now returned to double-digit speeds and over the last four hours a good half of the fleet has been running at an average of 20, even 25 knots!”indicated Pierre Hays, assistant to the Race Director.
Before tackling the Doldrums and its capricious weather on Wednesday afternoon, the majority of the first twelve competitors took advantage of ideal conditions with a wind between 18 and 20 knots on flat seas, which allowed them to exceed 20 average knots. “Driven by a remainder of the north swell, the boat often exceeds 30 knots. Life on board is less pleasant than in recent days but the competitive mentality is pampered”underlined Paul Meilhat (Biotherm), 12th, almost 112 miles from the lead.
Only 40 miles separate the 5th, Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB), from the leader, and the entry point into the Doldrums therefore promises to be crucial for the candidates for final victory. “The first six are spread out over 170 miles from east to west, in an almost perfect line. Their respective shifts will necessarily generate gaps at certain times”explained Pierre Hays. At the back of the race, Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée), who consolidated his boat after suffering cracks in his hull, moved up the rankings (20th, 316 miles from the lead), even if his pace is far behind. of the best. Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe), dead last at 1,113 miles, has logically fallen further behind for 24 hours after having sewn up his mainsail in the shelter of the Canary Islands, which he left on Monday.
Ranking for the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe Wednesday at 7:00 a.m.:
1. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) 21,658.02 nautical miles from the finish
2. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) at 26.48 miles
3. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) at 34.76 miles
4. Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) at 35.15 miles
5. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB) at 40.11 miles
6. Thomas Rettant (Vulnerable) at 58.20 miles
7. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) at 69.10 miles
8. Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V) at 71.20 miles
9. Samantha Davies (Initiatives-Coeur) at 91.81 miles
10. Clarisse Cremer (L’Occitane en Provence) at 95.22 miles
(…)
13. Jean Le Cam (It all begins in Finistère – Armor-Lux) at 149.68 miles
Abandon :
Maxime Sorel (V and B-Monbana-Mayenne)
