In fourth position at 7 p.m. in the Vendée Globe, Yoann Richomme carried out his weekly routing exercise “the eye of the Vendée” and explains how he intends to escape an expected depression. After passing Cape Good Hope, the skipper will make a big dive to the south, followed by sailing near the ice zone with the Kerguelen Islands in focus.
Heading north
“We will begin to see a depression appear behind us which will concern us”explains Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) who, via software, demonstrates his future position depending on the route taken: “We can clearly see this wind wrapping around the depression and overall we can see that the boat is ready, that it is receiving an east and north wind. »
Sailing conditions which promise to be difficult for the skipper: “Do I want to have a 40-knot northerly wind that pushes me towards the ice zone, or do I want to find a route that will position me in an area that is a little more comfortable north of the depression? » Richomme's choice has been made, and even if it involves taking a much longer route, the skipper will be able to operate in more controllable winds.
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Yoann Richomme's route choices should therefore make him turn north on Sunday: “All that remains to be seen, it depends on the position of the depression, the speed at which it moves and also the temperatures, because hitting 40 knots at five degrees in the south must be quite an experience. »
