Les Sables-d’Olonne Vendée Globe. RANKING Monday November 18, 2024 at 7 p.m.: Jean LE CAM takes the lead
(map at bottom of page)
RANKING Monday November 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Surprise ! Jean Le Cam takes the lead. While not so long ago he was in trouble, here he is in the lead with, at 7 p.m., a boat doing more than 14 knots!
Behind Sam Goodchild is in 2nd place, and advances at only 5.7 knots.
Sébastien Simon does not do better; he follows in 3rd place at a speed of 4.8 knots.
Certainly, the space is minimal between the 3 leaders: 4.3 miles for Sam, and 16.2 miles for Sébastien.
Very tight positions which leave an opening for each of the contenders.
The rest of the line is a little further away with Nicolas Lunven at 40 miles, Thomas Ruyant – who has lost ground – at 41 miles, and Charlie Dalin at 55 miles.
What does the future hold?
Who will benefit from the best wind, between the “Westerners”, the “Centrians” and the “Estiens”?
The next few hours and days are going to be exciting for the race.
Especially since in 2 days, the skippers will tackle the “Doldrums”*.
Ouch, Ouch, Ouch! Many will lose their hair!
*Doldrums :
A convergence zone, at the equator, of a few hundred km experiencing low atmospheric pressures where the trade winds coming from the North and those from the South meet.
The repercussions are as follows:
– ascending winds;
– Cumulonimbus clouds for kilometers in height;
– extremely violent thunderstorms
– very weak winds causing depression for sailors, sometimes leaving them stuck for several days.
Philippe Brossard-Lotz
The Sablais Reporter
© Photo: Martin Viezzer – Dubreuil Group
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Monday November 18, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
As the second week of this Vendée Globe begins, the fleet is still very tight with 15 skippers “holding together” in almost 120 miles at the 3 p.m. clock. Leader since Sunday evening, Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) retains the lead of the race even if he was slowed down by a windless zone. His runner-up, Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), took the opportunity to come back to less than 10 miles. Jean Le Cam (Tout Commence en Finistère – Armor-lux) and Conrad Colman (AS Amlin) persist in the East along the Mauritanian coast before passing to the East of Cape Verde.
To all those who like things to be clear, to all those who like certainty, know that the Vendée Globe never responds to this logic. At least not there, not now, not after eight days of racing. You have to be content with not knowing, just repeating that anything can happen. And then understand that the principle of an elastic band – it digs in front then it comes back behind – is definitely very suitable for offshore racing.
Leaders held back
At the head of the race, the leading trio – Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE), Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) and Thomas Ruyant – was joined throughout the day by Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB). The Briton was the first to stumble on a windless zone, which allowed his pursuers to return, before they were in turn slowed down.
Christian Dumard, Vendée Globe weather consultant, explains the situation:
« We are still facing a depression in the northwest of the Canaries which is moving little. It has an influence on the trade winds and creates these areas of sluggish weather. ».
It was therefore the leaders who were the first to be slowed down, which allowed the rest of the fleet to come back slightly: Sébastien Simon was 9.1 miles behind leader Sam Goodchild, but not enough to dampen the Briton's enthusiasm. , who responded to the broadcasts this morning:
« I'm proud of my position and I'm enjoying it, especially since I don't know how long it will last. There were risks with my route, I had to play with the squalls, the wind shifts and I had some success ».
Even if he was slowed down during the day, he prefers to focus on the Doldrums which he should address in two days:
“The big question is how to pass it”he confides.
“Everything is random, you have to stop thinking”
However, his takeover and the gap that the leading trio has widened are not so easy for their pursuers to absorb. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) recognized it this morning:
“The initial idea was to bypass the weak wind zone in the West. It was a thoughtful decision, I took the time to confirm my choices, I wasn't the only one to have made it… It's frustrating to see that it didn't help and that it was against -productive. There, it will slow down again. But everything is random, I think we need to stop thinking. »
Jeremy Beyou
(CHARAL)
Immediately afterwards, it was Paul Meilhat who responded to the calls. The Biotherm skipper is smiling even if he also recognizes the random side of the conditions:
« When there is little wind like that, there can be pressure differences which create huge gaps. Sometimes it's good for me, sometimes it's good for others. Basically, it goes, it comes. The wind will surely reshuffle the cards even if the two VULNERABLEs have already gone far ».
Everyone also keeps an eye on the two partisans of a very eastern roadJean Le Cam (Everything Begins in Finistère – Armor-lux) and Conrad Colman (AS Amlin).
The two sailors, who accelerated this Monday, will pass east of Cape Verde.
“The Doldrums will then force them to resettle in the Westdeciphers Christian Dumard. It looks very uncertain and random for them.”
Rest, smiles and unexpected encounters
Before being monopolized by this famous Doldrumsthe fleet continues its journey with a rather light spirit and a lot of fun to boot.
– It’s Romain Attanasio (Fortinet-Best Western) who sets the scene: “the weather is nice, the sea is magnificent with a slight swell which pushes the boat. We are downwind, under a large gennaker, with 12 knots of wind. It’s great happiness! » Romain admits to having “lounged around a bit this morning at the bench”.
– Conrad Colman (MS Amlin), explains “having slept well, doing yoga, stretching”.
– Thomas Rettant (VULNERABLE) took the opportunity to have “a big breakfast”.
– Antoine Cornic (HUMAN Immobilier) enjoyed a rice pudding with his morning coffee.
– Sam Goodchild had made himself some scrambled eggs.
– Clarisse Cremer (L’Occitane en Provence) enjoyed her first grapefruit.
At the same time, the fleet is tightening and crossings are numerous
Clarisse Crémer saw Samantha Davies (Initiative-Cœur), Louis Duc (Fives Group – Lantana Environnement) was woken up on the VHF by Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare) who called Romain Attanasio. Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur – DUO for a JOB) also had a surprise phone call.
Sébastien Destremau on delivery!
At the end of the line, a former Vendée Globe competitor, Sébastien Destremau (2016 and 2020 editions), who passed nearby last night aboard a 43-footer which he is transporting to the Antilles:
“I didn’t see anyone at the AIS and there, it’s Destremau, it’s improbable,” Benjamin explains on the radio.
« It’s a great moment of emotion,” replied his elder, who continued:
“Good winds, good seas and a great Vendée Globe! »
Philippe Brossard-Lotz
The Sablais Reporter
(with communication)
