Vendée Globe Race Sunday Update: First southern challenge ahead
by Vendée Globe media 1 Dec 09:06 PST
1 December 2024
Paprec Arkéa skipper Yoann Richomme – Vendée Globe 2024 © Yoann Richomme / VG2024
While speed has dominated recent days, the situation is starting to shift. The Vendée Globe solo sailors are no longer focused solely on their rearview mirrors to keep an eye on their competitors.
Now they must also prepare for a series of low-pressure systems, with the first set to arrive midweek, which they can expect to ride for up to a week.
At the same time, the environment and wildlife are evolving, as several skippers report their first sightings of albatrosses. They must also navigate the infamous eddies of the Agulhas current off the coast of South Africa, which are rich in biodiversity but are also accompanied by volatile and unpredictable weather.
Difficult Choices
The leaders, near Marion and Prince Edward Islands, face an immediate challenge – they must determine the best route to navigate the first low-pressure system approaching from behind. This task is complicated due to discrepancies among weather models and the erratic weather, leading to decisions being deferred until the latest possible moment. The stakes are incredibly high, as Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) explains:
“My first day in the Indian Ocean was quite intense, with a broken rudder downhaul and squalls of 30 knots while flying the large sails,” he shares. “Today, however, the wind has been only 5-10 knots all morning, allowing me to tidy up and check the boat.”
The decision regarding this low-pressure system needs to be made today – heading south offers a shorter course but risks exposure to strong winds. Opting for the northern route involves a significant detour, so one must be certain it’s truly necessary. This marks the first major performance versus safety decision we’ve encountered, and I am leaning towards safety, though you don’t want to unnecessarily lose 1,000 miles.”
Sam Davies (Initiatives Coeur) recorded the fastest speed in the fleet at 1000UTC this morning, having moved south to catch the next low-pressure system as early as feasible; however, by the 1400 update, her speed had fallen to single digits, highlighting the variability of today’s conditions.
Facing about 150 miles behind Davies, Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Sea Explorer), Justine Mettraux (Teamwork – Team SNEF), and Clarisse Crémer (l’Occitane en Provence) were all exceeding 20 knots, but this trio was separated by a mere 7.4 miles according to the tracker.
An Extended Transition
“It got chilly last night, but I’m now heading northeast into warmer waters and the Agulhas current,” Davies states. “I’ll feel much better once I pass these eddies and enter the cold waters of the Indian Ocean – I eagerly await sailing my boat around Antarctica as it is incredibly enjoyable. For the next week, we’ll be riding this significant low-pressure system, making it stressful to seek a balance between fast sailing and careful sailing, to avoid damaging the boat or sails. We’ll all be experimenting in the coming days to find the optimal balance for our boats.”
Among the daggerboard boats, about 2,500 miles behind the leaders, Fabrice Amedeo (Nexans – Wewise) is preparing for a very different phase. “No more high pressure, no more calm spots, and no more temperate weather,” he states. “We need to adjust to the rhythm of the Southern Ocean, acclimate to the cold, and accept the noise of the boat in rough conditions.”
“At some point, we had to swap out our shorts and T-shirts,” confirms Damien Seguin (Groupe APICIL), who has changed his attire over the past 24 hours. “Four years ago, I remember this transition was abrupt, happening overnight. It’s the same this time. The change feels less significant going this way compared to transitioning from the tropics into the North Atlantic.”
This change of scenery is exactly what we’re seeking. We just need to adjust the focus to where we genuinely desire. Each of us navigates at our own level, with distinct perceptions, boats, and experiences.”
Exhibiting Humility
“These southern seas are somewhat intimidating yet incredibly captivating. They are untamed territories. We traverse through them with humility, treading lightly, apologizing for our presence in the midst of this raw nature,” says Amedeo, who understands he’s about to cross an invisible threshold. A threshold that will likely signify a pivotal moment in his journey. It’s all about assessing the risks we are willing to take or abstain from.
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