Christmas is over, but they’re still not ready to give each other presents. At the head of the fleet for almost a week, Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea) and Charlie Dalin (Macif) continue to engage in a relentless duel as they make their way up the Atlantic Ocean. At 7 a.m., Friday December 27, only 13.40 nautical miles (nm) separate the two skippers.
While he was 92 nm behind his runner-up two days ago, Yoann Richomme saw his competitor coming back on his heels in recent hours. Now at the same pace, the two leading men have found wind and waves and are heading towards the Equator at a good pace (20 knots compared to 7, Thursday).
In third position, Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) lost further ground on the leading duo. Located 595.82 nm from the leader 24 hours ago, it is now 686.38 nm from Yoann Richomme. In order to preserve as much wind as possible, the Vendéen took the gamble of bypassing the Falklands from the West. The two leading men went to the East, flirting with the Antarctic Exclusion Zone (AEZ).
In the Pacific, the group of seven skippers – who are just over 400 nm apart – is still led by Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable), who should cross Cape Horn during the day.
Twelfth place provisionally goes to Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane), who broke away from Samantha Davies (Iniatives coeur), alongside whom she sailed from the Indian Ocean. The reason? Two different strategies. While Clarisse Crémer chose the South towards the ice zone, the Briton climbs towards the North, close to Point Némo. “It’s a choice to preserve the equipment, the sails and the boat, because my objective is to be 100% for the ascent of the Atlantic”justified the current 14th.
At the back of the race, Fabrice Amédéo (Nexans-Wewese), 35th, is still sailing alongside Manuel Cousin (Coup de Pouce), 34th. “When you’re a little behind, it’s still quite nice to have a neighbor“, Amédéo exclaimed to the organization. The former journalist, currently off the coast of Australia, is suffering from some muscle contusions following an impact at the front of his boat.
Forced to abandon on December 16 after having dismasted, Pip Hare continued her journey under makeshift rigging. According to the race organization, it is approaching the Australian coast.
