Vendée Globe Race Update: A Critical Divide?
by Vendée Globe media 11 Dec 09:45 PST
11 December 2024
Guirec Soudée on Freelance.com – 2024 Vendée Globe © Guirec Soudée #VG2024
The top three competitors in the Vendée Globe are advancing well eastward near Australia, while their challengers face an emerging windless zone that could further extend the gaps. As leader Charlie Dalin transitions from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific in the coming days, this period could be crucial for skippers ranked sixth to twelfth.
Weather specialist Will Harris, also an aspiring skipper for the 2028 Vendée Globe, shared his insights on the Vendée Globe LIVE! English show: “This could be a defining moment as they enter the Pacific. The leaders will benefit from escaping with the back of the low-pressure system to the east, while boats trapped in the high may find themselves at risk from those riding the low.”
He elaborated, “There is high pressure located to the north of the leaders. Over the next few days, this system will block the fleet around Tasmania. As it shifts east, it could stymie their progress. Charlie should stick with the low-pressure system, but those in positions sixth to tenth might struggle if they don’t maintain speed. Boris, Sam, Justine, and Clarisse will definitely be affected by the high pressure.”
Harris continued, “Timing will be critical as the high pressure also impedes the exclusion zone. Staying ahead of the system is essential to access the low-pressure area, otherwise, boats lagging behind will catch up with those stuck in the high.”
Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) is pushing his limits and has increased his lead to about 100 miles over second-placed Seb Simon (Groupe Dubreuil). The intensity has been exhausting, leaving Dalin eager for the opportunity to fully inspect his boat and take some much-needed rest.
“The Indian Ocean has been incredibly intense right from the start. I’m just managing daily tasks—adjusting sails, checking the boat, eating, sleeping. Right now, I’m focused on each day and hardly realize that we’re nearly halfway through the race. It’s astounding.”
Dalin summarized his upcoming strategy: “I have around 36 hours or two days left before reaching the ice zone. I’ll be sailing straight to that corner, but there are uncertainties in the weather forecasts. Routing shows about ten days to Point Nemo, roughly 9-12 days, which looks favorable and allows for more sail area.”
Richomme Advances
Meanwhile, the determined Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) believes he’s in a strong third place, eyeing Simon and his damaged foil while distancing himself from fourth-placed Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE). Richomme, participating in his first Vendée Globe, feels positive: “It’s exciting to be here, having arrived at the other side of the world so quickly, but the return journey will be long! I couldn’t ask for much more; we’re nearing record pace. Although Charlie is setting the pace, I’m content in third, thanks to my route around the low pressure in the Indian Ocean. I aim to close the gap on Seb and keep Thomas at bay; I feel like I’m faster than him given his lighter winds.”
He has a custom shock-absorbing seat on strong springs, which helps him maintain balance when hitting large waves. “It’s the second most expensive seat in history after Napoleon’s,” he joked.
Ongoing Repairs
Ongoing maintenance is proving crucial. Sam Davies (Initiatives Coeur) is facing persistent issues this afternoon following an electrical malfunction earlier. Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) dedicated three hours to rectifying his rudder problems, sharing with the French LIVE! show, “I nearly stopped for three hours due to a rudder issue. It’s these little things that can distance you from the pack, but I’m back out there now!”
Pip Hare (Medallia) has also been busy with repairs on her bulkhead.
A relieved Hare reported this morning, “My repair isn’t pretty, but the main components are holding up. I hope I managed it right because I don’t want to repeat that. Trying to do repairs while being tossed around in open seas is no easy feat—there’s nothing to grip onto, and hard carbon surfaces to deal with. Such tasks really drain your energy, disrupting your routine, impacting your eating and sleeping. I was exhausted overnight and now another low-pressure system is catching up to me.”
Storms on the Horizon
Farther back, the group led by Jean Le Cam (Tout commence en Finistère – Armor-lux, 16th) is bracing for a new, formidable southern depression that resembles the one that impacted the lead boats last week. Forecasts indicate average winds exceeding 40 knots and wave heights close to 10 meters. Some skippers have positioned themselves farther north (Jean Le Cam), others in the middle (Tanguy Le Turquais, Lazare), and some further south (Louis Duc, Fives Group – Lantana Environnement and Guirec Soudée, Freelance.com). Antoine Cornic (HUMAN Immobilier) is taking the southern route. Without his downwind sail (FR0) since Sunday, he is preparing for the brunt of the gales: “Ultimately, this is a fairly typical depression compared to what we encounter in the South. This morning’s weather was pleasant, but clouds and rain are coming, with possible squalls. Gusts of 65 knots are expected, so it’ll be quite dynamic!”
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