Vendée Globe Race – Day 26: Fleet Divides Ahead of Southern Ocean Storm
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 5 Dec 14:03 PST
6 December 2024
Freelance.com – Southern Ocean – Vendée Globe – December 4, 2024 © Guirec Soudee
The current 38-vessel Vendée Globe fleet has spread out in response to an incoming low-pressure system, which is bringing winds over 50 knots and a chaotic sea state exceeding 10 meters. Competitors are soon to feel the diverse effects of their selected positions.
Some vessels have opted for a northern position, aiming to evade the storm’s center and the most severe conditions.
Others have remained in the central area, prepared to accept whatever comes their way.
The leading racers are heading south, facing the storm’s repercussions as well.
Given the dispersion of the fleet and the unpredictable trajectory of the approaching storm, predicting the outcomes is somewhat challenging. We have shifted the virtual waypoint to a longitude east of the Chatham Islands—the furthest eastern point of New Zealand’s territory in the Southern Ocean—to help balance routing results.
According to the latest reports and Predictwind weather routing from 1800hrs UTC on December 5, race leader Charlie Dalin is projected to be two and a half days ahead of the northernmost competitor, Yoann Richomme, at the new virtual waypoint approximately 5,000 nautical miles away from both sailors.
Dalin and second-place Sebastien Simon have navigated just north of the Kerguelen Islands, also known as the Desolation Islands (Îles de la Désolation), located in the sub-Antarctic region. They have yet to experience the storm’s full intensity, which is expected to gust over 50 knots and potentially be stronger at sea.
Reports from other sailors facing milder winds suggest that the natural tendency of the IMOCA60 is to sail at speeds exceeding 35 knots in such conditions while surfing on big waves. The critical challenge lies in slowing down these boats to a safer, more manageable speed.
Boats within the southern grouping are forecasted to endure peak gusts of 50 knots by mid-afternoon on December 6 UTC, while those in the northern grouping will experience winds of 38-40 knots in the early morning hours (0100hrs) on December 6 UTC. The actual impact of these scenarios will unfold over the next couple of days.
Stay tuned for the latest video updates as of December 5 UTC.
Conrad Colman:
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