Charlie Dalin, Thomas Rettant and Yoann Richomme still dominate the race by setting records for distance covered over 24 hours. Carried by an ideally positioned depression, the leaders maintain an average speed of 23 knots, sometimes reaching peaks of 32 knots. 900 nautical miles behind, the group led by Jean Le Cam, with 10 knots less, is struggling to close the gap. For this edition, the chances of returning from the rear now seem almost non-existent before entering the southern seas.
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Conditions are favorable but demanding. The sea, still manageable with waves of 1.8 m, becomes more complex as the skippers descend into the depression, where they reach 2.2 m. Finding the right balance between speed and preservation of the boat is crucial. Some, like Jérémie Beyou and Yannick Bestaven, seem to have opted for a more cautious approach, moving away from the intense battle of the former. Thomas Ruyant:
In the peloton:
17 foilers follow the pace of the leaders, from Charlie Dalin to Damien Séguin, with Louis Burton trying not to get unhooked. Further, the drift boats extend over 200 nautical miles. Louis Duc sums up philosophically:
“We have a nice depression which is propelling our friends on foils towards the South, while we collect their crumbs. I enjoy the sunsets in the cockpit with tea, while remaining focused on speed and satellite images to optimize my route. »
For many, this South Atlantic is only a step before getting to the heart of the matter: the South Seas and their extreme challenges. The next few hours will be decisive for the leaders as well as for the pursuers. their little comrades with straight daggerboards, led by Jean Le Cam (Tout Commence en FInistère – Armor-Lux, 19th), everyone is already starting to anticipate: » The South Seas, that's a bit like my obsession now, now that we're starting to go beyond the latitudes we already know. Maybe once there I won't say that anymore, but in any case I can't wait to discover these landscapes, these seas, these long swells! »
