Vendée Globe Race Saturday Update: Tight racing and a new frontrunner?
by Vendée Globe media 30 Nov 08:56 PST
30 November 2024
Vendée Globe Race Saturday Update: Tight racing and a new frontrunner? © Conrad Colman
The top three Vendée Globe racers are separated by less than 9 miles after 20 days of competition, while Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE) in fourth is only 20 miles behind the leaders as the fleet sails south and west into the tumultuous roaring 40s.
In the early hours today, there was a shuffle among the front runners. Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance), who held the lead for the previous 3,000 miles, has dropped to second, trailing Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) by just two miles. Meanwhile, Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) remains in third, only seven miles back from Dalin.
“It wasn’t my plan to take the lead again,” Richomme says. “I’m unsure why it happened. The wind direction must have shifted slightly. I just followed my path, and it resulted in me leading. Last night, we experienced significant wind, hitting speeds over 30 knots, which isn’t unusual here.” He noted the need to monitor nearby competitors to prevent close calls. “I found myself next to Seb Simon, whose AIS signals can be detected from less than a mile away. When I heard the alert, I leaped out of my bunk!” adds Richomme.
Competition is equally fierce amongst the non-foiling daggerboard fleet, with Jean Le Cam (Tout commence en Finistère – Armor-lux) able to communicate with Louis Duc (Fives Group – Lantana Environnement) via short-range VHF radio. Le Cam and Duc are part of a group of eight competitors now separated by just 110 miles, although they’re nearly 2,000 miles behind the pace-setters.
Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team SNEF), Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence), and Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Sea Explorer) remain within less than two miles of each other while navigating the effects of the St Helena high-pressure system. The sunny skies and light winds allowed Crémer some time for maintenance work, addressing repairs on the hydrogenerator and managing chafing on the rigging.
Ongoing Challenges
Herrmann, who faced nearly stagnant winds early today, voiced his frustrations: “Staying inside the boat is tough, constantly checking the screen and tracker. After four years of meticulous planning for this new boat, we should be sailing at 20 knots, but instead, here we are. It saddens me sometimes. Although I’d like to cry at times, I mostly feel a positive emotion. I am taking steps to improve my position.”
In contrast, Pip Hare (Medallia) is feeling more optimistic: “This is the most competitive race edition to date, with numerous boats nearby, all closely matched regarding performance. Mistakes have consequences, and in the last months before the race, I practiced in stronger conditions to better understand the boat. While the Southern Ocean waves can’t be replicated, I’ve sailed in rough weather, formulating a strategy to manage it. We’ll see how that works in practice.”
A Long Night Ahead
Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) continues to lead the second-generation foiling boats by a significant margin, trailing 250 miles behind the leaders, despite facing overnight challenges. “I’ve had a hectic 12 hours,” he shares. “It started last night when the rudder malfunctioned, but the technical team helped fix it and get it functioning again, which was a relief.”
“Last night, we encountered winds ranging from 10 to 30 knots, making sail selection more complicated than anticipated. This morning, we started to nose-dive, a weakness of this boat. We had a serious tumble that sent everything flying, and I was in the middle of preparing breakfast when a splash of hot water landed right next to me.”
“I switched to a smaller sail, but that adjustment took 45 minutes instead of 15 due to various issues. I guess I’m a bit tired and making some mistakes. But I’m glad to be back on track with a smaller FRO sail.”
Challenges on the Horizon
Looking forward, the leading boats will encounter a new challenge this week with a strong southern depression anticipated by Wednesday. “We’re unsure how to navigate it,” Richomme explains. “Typically, we go north to avoid rough waters, but the escape route is far, possibly prompting us to head south. While it may not affect the race outcome significantly, safety remains a priority.” A decision must be made by tomorrow morning.
In the meantime, the remaining fleet prepares for the strong southerly winds. “Since yesterday, I’ve entered a strong wind zone south of the St Helena high,” Isabelle Joschke (MACSF) reports. “This symbolizes a return to full speed, leaving behind the light winds of the Atlantic for the Indian Ocean. I am adjusting the boat for southern conditions, changing sails, replacing vital lines, and organizing my sails at the back. In a few days, I’ll round the Cape of Good Hope, marking the start of a new race.”
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