Vendée Globe Day 6: Maxime Sorel, Black Friday. Sam Goodchild, Good Friday
by Vendée Globe Media 15 Nov 09:47 PST
15 November 2024
“I can’t continue, I’m abandoning my second Vendée Globe,” said an emotional French skipper Maxime Sorel early this Friday afternoon from Madeira.
The 38-year-old skipper of V and B – Monbana – Mayenne, who finished a commendable 10th in the 2020-2021 race, had previously sailed a seemingly cursed boat that had not finished the Vendée Globe since 2008. Unfortunately, he is the first competitor to leave the tenth edition of the race. He has had to withdraw due to a combination of a severe ankle injury and issues with his mainsail hook system and the mainsail car. He will be heading to shore in Madeira immediately for an X-ray of his ankle.
Goodchild maintains his lead
While the frontrunners are entering light winds between the Canaries and the Cape Verde Islands, British skipper Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) is leading the pack, while Sorel’s race ends prematurely.
This is a heartbreak for Sorel, who is accustomed to pushing boundaries. A trained civil engineer, after finishing 10th in the ‘Everest of the Seas,’ he went on to ascend the actual highest peak in the world in 2023. However, the only sailor to conquer both Everests has faced struggles since the start of this race: “On the first night, I had issues with my gennaker; on the second night, it was the mainsail; and the third night was spent trying to fix things. The hook is broken, and the mainsail track is jammed.”
However, it is an ankle injury that renders his situation untenable. He shared, “The pain is constant, especially on curved surfaces, making it very difficult to move around on the boat. Changing the three-meter-long section of the mainsail track is a job for a proper boatyard. I’ve given it my all, but the mental and physical pain I’m experiencing is unimaginable. Still, I remain optimistic; this frustration will motivate me for the future.”
Weöres to bypass Madeira for the Canaries
Hungarian skipper Szabolcs Weöres has made progress, removing most of his damaged A7 high-wind kite from his forestay, but will not stop in Madeira due to forecasted strong winds. He plans to head steadily towards the Canary Islands, located 250 miles south. Although he’s currently battling 30-knot winds, he remains in good spirits and is determined to press on.
The leaders are not well into the light wind band that separates them from the Cape Verde Islands, with speeds dropping to four or five knots at times. The distance between two VULNERABLE IMOCAs—Thomas Ruyant in the west and the leader Sam Goodchild to the east—is about 100 nautical miles apart.
JuJu surges through the night
Goodchild is keeping his lead of around 10 nautical miles ahead of Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) in second place, while Switzerland’s Justine Mettraux (TeamWork-Team Snef) has been fluctuating between third and fourth all day, benefiting from a fast drag race alongside German skipper Boris Herrmann (Malizia-Seaexplorer) overnight.
“We were sailing at 30 knots on smooth seas next to Boris, holding onto some wind, which wasn’t planned but is great for morale,” reported the Swiss sailor. “Yes, we have made up some ground, but there’s still a long way to go.” Everyone has their own approach to navigating the vast windless zone ahead, and the fleet is becoming increasingly compact. This morning, ten sailors were within 60 miles of the lead; by late afternoon, the number had risen to 15. Boats positioned to the east currently seem to have an advantage as the leaders shift westward. Italy’s Giancarlo Pedote is up to fourth or fifth tonight on Prysmian.
Compression boosts morale for many
Many skippers have gained significant distance after starting from behind. Rising star Violette Dorange, just 23 years old, reflects: “I’m happy to be back; it lifts my spirits,” said the youngest competitor in the race, whose older daggerboard boat is contending among several foilers.
Meanwhile, 65-year-old Jean Le Cam has opted for a slightly different route, moving closer to the Canaries. “He is trying to take an easterly route, which is intriguing, although he will also encounter light winds,” Christian Dumard notes.
Le Cam believes the calm will impact the western fleet. “The situation isn’t easy, but in life, you must take risks; doubt is part of performance!”
Small moments of joy
Chinese competitor Jingkun Xu is clearly living his dream at sea and cannot hide his happiness: “I try to savor everything; every day brings me joy!” Other skippers share light-hearted moments; Le Cam, in a jovial mood, mentions Jean, a stuffed animal from the new French film “La Vallée des fous” that he brought along. “She talks to me, asking, ‘Did you eat well?’ ‘Oh yes, I ate well,'” he confides with laughter. Meanwhile, Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE) enjoyed a piece of clafoutis (a cherry-based dessert) “made by my mum,” while Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare) has a grapefruit. Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée) spotted a flying fish, and Éric Bellion (STAND AS ONE) captured a stunning sunrise. These moments of joy help lift spirits, especially as they cope with the loss of one of their own so early in the race.
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