Charlie Dalin increases his lead over Yoann Richomme as the new year approaches

Returning to the lead on Tuesday, Dalin has not been idle in the last 24 hours. His opponent is now relegated to almost 80 nautical miles.

New leader of the Vendée Globe, Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) took advantage of the transition to the new year to distance himself from Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa), Wednesday January 1 at the 7:00 a.m. check-in. Dalin has almost doubled his lead compared to the day before, reaching 79 nautical miles, or a little over 146 km on the 51st day of this solo round-the-world race.

After a dead calm, the Dalin-Richomme duo found some wind for the new year, which primarily benefited the leader. Third, Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) was 342 minutes behind, with a significantly slower pace than the two previous days.

The two leading sailors have chosen to take a route further off the Brazilian coast while Simon, who has just left Rio de Janeiro behind, is much closer. In fourth position, 1,400 minutes from the lead, Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) maintains a solid cushion over the pack of pursuers who, from 5th, Paul Meilhat (Biotherm), to 10th, Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team Snef), are lasts 150 nautical miles.