Giancarlo Pedote Updates on the Vendée Globe: “Have faith in your strategy and hope for rewards!”
by L’IMOCA Prysmian 16 Nov 04:04 PST
16 November 2024
Giancarlo Pedote competing in the Vendée Globe © Polaryse
As he begins his sixth day at sea in the Vendée Globe, approximately 500 miles off the coast of Western Sahara, Giancarlo Pedote finds himself leading the race following an impressive recovery yesterday.
The Prysmian skipper, who opted for caution initially, particularly during the fierce storm near Cape Finisterre, has successfully navigated through a favorable breeze in a vast calm region that has stalled the rest of the fleet. Despite this fortunate turn, the Florentine sailor maintains a humble perspective on this unusual and uncertain scenario, always mindful that anything can happen!
Giancarlo Pedote explains, “The last 24 hours have focused on keeping the boat moving forward, which is challenging given the unpredictable conditions.” He feels he has played his cards well since passing the Canary Islands. “The overall situation is complicated. A significant depression of 998 hectopascals is situated north of Madeira, overpowering the Azores High and disrupting the trade wind system. It’s now the primary player in this Atlantic region, creating quite a mess,” he adds. In these conditions, finding a path is tough, often dictated by changeable clouds, leading to a lack of navigational stability. “The leaders had to move west. Unfortunately, they haven’t had luck on their side; they were aiming for favorable winds but instead have been pushed northwest despite a previously perfect trajectory,” the Italian skipper explains. Meanwhile, he has capitalized on emerging opportunities, leveraging a narrow corridor of wind slightly further east.
Gaining momentum to both the south and west
“From the start, I’ve prioritized skilled seamanship to avoid arriving at Cape Finisterre with a damaged boat, leaving little time for rest as I’m racing full throttle. Yesterday, I seized an opportunity to enhance my positioning to the south, yet I remain calm since tension could erupt at any moment, and I’m aware those to the west will likely catch the fresh breeze first,” the sailor comments. Consequently, he is strategically looking to the west to access pressure quickly while watching Jean Le Cam’s audacious strategy, which clearly aims to defy forecasts and statistics. “It’s an intriguing choice. After passing Madeira, I considered the same route, but there is a significant hurdle: entering the doldrums,” Giancarlo clarifies, suggesting that he believes safety lies further west, even if many uncertainties persist.
Executing a giant slalom through the wind gaps
“There are numerous wind gaps, and we risk getting stuck. When conditions are this intricate, predicting outcomes is tough. Nevertheless, trusting your strategy is crucial, hoping it yields results!” stresses the skipper, currently positioned second and polling an average speed of 5.8 knots. “The northwest wind we’re encountering is inconsistent, adding to our challenges. In the next few hours, winds will remain light, with some patches of calm. To avoid them, maintaining speed is critical, yet no one has it right now! Essentially, we must wait for the trade winds, which usually are present at this latitude, to return. Meanwhile, I’m focused on performing my role well and making the most of any opportunities presented by this intriguing breeze corridor,” Giancarlo Pedote concludes.
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