Charlie Dalin, leader of the Vendée Globe for a week, passed Cape Leeuwin, the gateway to the Pacific Ocean, on Monday afternoon, but his pursuers continue to gradually close thier gap. The Norman skipper was the slowest in the fleet in the last 24 hours, underlines the association. So much so that, despite breaking his starboard foil this weekend, his runner-up Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) continues to nibble away at ground and at 7pm was 157.58 miles behind the leading navigator, or around 20 miles faster less than this morning.
But he is not the only one closing the gap as Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa),3rd and fastest in the last 24 hours,and Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable),4th,are both back to under 500 minutes. “It’s choppy, there are 35-40 very regular knots. It’s also annoying because I’m trying to head south to avoid gybes a little later, trying to slide with this strong wind towards the ice area, which is bringing me closer to the front,” said Yoann Richomme.
“Since yesterday evening the conditions have been very good.You have to be there. The fleet leader took a small lead. We must not lose the rhythm. When there is an possibility or something to seize, you have to be there,” commented Thomas Ruyant.
End of the first month of competitions
Behind, the entire top 10 gained a few dozen miles on Dalin. But a “ridge”, a transition zone between two windy low-pressure systems, could once again have “the effect of a barrier” between Dalin, or even Simon, and the rest of the fleet which could lose ground again, he anticipates the organization.
Right now, 37 skippers are sailing in the Indian Ocean. Only the Hungarian Szabolcs Weöres (New europe), 38th and last, is still in the Atlantic.Louis Burton, the second skipper to abandon after Maxime sorel, reached the port of Cape Town (South Africa) on Sunday morning. “Once the necessary repairs have been carried out,the sailor and his team will ferry the boat to saint-Malo,” the organizers specified.
This Monday marks the end of the first month of racing for the 38 sailors still on the water in this tenth edition, who set off from Sables-d’Olonne on November 10th for their trip around the world.
Vendée Globe rankings Monday at 7pm
1.Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) 13,359.26 nautical miles from the finish
2. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) 157.58 miles behind the leader
3. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) at 328.50 minutes
4. Thomas Rettant (vulnerable) at 477.54 minutes
5. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) at 784.94 min
6. nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB) at 794.22 minutes
7. Sam Goodchild (vulnerable) at 845.73 minutes
8.Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) at 878.21 min
9.Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V) at 923.10 minutes
10. Boris Herrmann (malizia – Seaexplorer) at 1,212.01 minutes
38. Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe) at 5,552.09 million
Withdrawals: Maxime Sorel (V and B-Monbana-Mayenne), louis Burton (Bureau Vallée)
what are the key factors that influence a sailor’s strategy in the vendée Globe?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and sailing Expert Dr. Jane Harrington
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon, Dr.Harrington! Thank you for joining us to discuss the thrilling developments in the Vendée Globe. The stakes seem higher than ever with Charlie Dalin leading – albeit with challenges. How significant is his position right now, given his recent foil breakage?
Dr.Jane Harrington (JH): Good afternoon! It’s a pleasure to be here. Charlie Dalin’s leadership is quite significant, but the breakage of his starboard foil certainly complicates things.Foils are crucial for performance in the Vendée Globe as they lift the boat out of the water,reducing drag. Without full functionality, Dalin will struggle to maintain his speed against the likes of Sébastien Simon and Yoann Richomme, who are closing in rapidly.
TNE: You mentioned the competition.Simon seems resolute, even with the gap narrowing to under 160 miles. What do you think his strategy is right now?
JH: Simon has been incredibly strategic in his approach. His consistent pace and ability to exploit dalin’s misfortune showcase his racing experience. By capitalizing on the slower speeds of Dalin, he’s staying patient but aggressive, looking for every possibility to close the gap.His next tactical move will likely involve taking advantage of the wind shifts and potentially challenging Dalin’s course.
TNE: Speaking of wind, it’s been described as choppy, with winds at 35-40 knots.How does that affect the sailors’ strategies?
JH: Those wind conditions can be tricky! While strong winds can propel a boat forward, they also increase the risk of capsizing or damaging the vessel. In these conditions, sailors must strike a balance between speed and safety. The challenge is to harness the wind without putting too much strain on the boat’s structure. Dalin, as a notable example, is opting to head south to avoid forthcoming gybes. That’s a strategic move to prioritize stability over speed.
TNE: So, with the competition hotting up, who do you think has the best chance of overtaking Dalin in the coming days?
JH: It’s hard to predict, but both Simon and Richomme appear strong contenders. Richomme has been the fastest over the last 24 hours and seems to be finding his rhythm.If he can maintain that speed while navigating the conditions adeptly,he’ll definitely pose a serious challenge to Dalin’s leadership. Also, let’s not forget Thomas Ruyant, who’s consistently showing strong performance.
TNE: It sounds like the thrill of the Vendée Globe is far from over. What can we expect in terms of strategy as the race progresses into the Pacific ocean?
JH: The Pacific is notorious for its unpredictable weather patterns, so strategy will likely evolve as each skipper responds to changing conditions. Tactics will include not just speed but also navigating currents and anticipating weather shifts. The skippers will have to be ready to make rapid decisions, sometimes shifting tactics based on minute-by-minute changes.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Harrington. As the race unfolds, we’re looking forward to seeing how these dynamics play out.Your insights have been invaluable!
JH: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time in the world of sailing, and I can’t wait to see how it all pans out in the coming days.