On Tuesday evening a duo stood out at the head of the Vendée Globe: charlie Dalin (Macif) and Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) were racing more than 300 miles from the rest of the fleet, but they were also heading into a very violent storm. At 7pm, while Dalin is just 41 nautical miles behind Simon, third-placed Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) is 360 nautical miles behind the leader.
The two skippers, having chosen the southernmost route among the nine leading sailors, have further widened the gap on the rest of the field, but on Wednesday they will also be the most exposed to the first big blow of this 10th Vendée Globe.
“A great depression awaits us which will bring us (…) I hope it goes well, I’m a bit apprehensive. It’s calm there and I admit it feels good,” Simon, 34, told race organizers at the end of the morning. “It will be a very unpleasant 48 hours. we’re trying to move a little further north. I think we will turn our backs to try to overcome this delicate moment,” he said.
on the menu, waves over seven metres, 35 knots of established wind (65 km/h) and gusts over 50 knots. The initial pursuers of the two then all headed north-east against the current to further preserve their vessel.
Further west, the dinghy boats, led by Jean Le Cam, in 20th place, were approaching the Cape of Good Hope where conditions will also be very challenging from Wednesday.
Vendée Globe ranking Tuesday 3 December at 7pm:
1. Charlie Dalin (Macif santé Prévoyance) 15,828.24 nautical miles from the finish
2. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) 41.71 nautical miles from first
3. yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) at 364.06 minutes
4. Thomas Rettant (vulnerable) at 382.03 minutes
5. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) at 562.29 nm
6. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB) at 562.70 minutes
7. Sam Goodchild (vulnerable) at 648.23 minutes
8. Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V) at 679.13 minutes
9. Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) at 697.57 minutes
10.justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team Snef) at 1,133.38 minutes
39. Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe) at 4,235.71 million
Abandonment: Maxime Sorel (V and B-Monbana-Mayenne)
