In the gruelling Vendée Globe, patience is proving to be an essential virtue as the skippers of the fleet wrestle with a broad swath of light and variable winds near the Cape Verde Islands. Progress has slowed, and the fleet’s leaders are experiencing boat speeds in the low double digits, delaying their Equator crossing by nearly two days compared to the previous two editions.
The record for the fastest Equator crossing, set in 2016 by British skipper Alex Thomson at 9 days and 7 hours, remains unchallenged. Thomson repeated his feat in 2020, crossing in 9 days and 23 hours. This year, however, the fleet is nearly 900 miles from the Equator, with forecasts predicting only a slight increase in the northeast trade winds.
Jean Le Cam Leads the Pack
Jean Le Cam, a seasoned competitor aboard Tout commence en Finistère – Armor Lux, has regained the lead. He skillfully navigated through the light airs close to the African coast and has capitalised on his easterly position. Currently making 13 knots, Le Cam is on track to pass south of the Cape Verde archipelago, though not without challenges. The towering Pico de Fogo, a nearly 3,000-metre-high volcanic peak, creates turbulent wind patterns, adding complexity to his route.
Trailing Le Cam is Sam Goodchild aboard VULNERABLE, positioned 44 miles behind. However, Goodchild faces a looming challenge from stablemate Thomas Ruyant, who shares similar speeds but holds a more westerly position, potentially advantageous in the coming days.
A Waiting Game for the Leaders
While tactical positioning and weather analysis dominate, life onboard the leading boats is relatively straightforward for now. Skippers are focused on maintaining routines, deciphering the best routes, and avoiding erratic clouds that bring sudden lulls or gusts.
Nicolas Lunven, in sixth place on HOLCIM – PRB, reflects on the race strategy:
“Jean’s approach is fascinating. He took a risk crossing the calm zone, but it paid off. Now his challenge is to make his way west as efficiently as possible to tackle the Doldrums. He’s experienced and has the right tools for this, including a spinnaker, which is perfect for these conditions.”
Lunven also highlighted the fleet’s reliance on technology: “We study wind files and use satellite images to identify clouds, squalls, and areas of higher or lower wind. It’s about staying adaptable. The strategy over the past few days has been to move westward, and that continues to be our best bet.”
Repairs Keep Skippers in the Race
Meanwhile, two skippers have made significant progress after addressing critical repairs.
Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée) spent two arduous days and nights reinforcing cracks in his deck and topsides caused by compression loads from his jockey pole. Using carbon battens and strips, Burton has stabilised his boat and resumed racing at an impressive 15 knots. Though he currently ranks 24th, his determination is evident as he works to close the gap with the leaders.
Hungarian sailor Szabolcs Weöres also overcame setbacks, repairing his mainsail in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. After departing the safety of the port, he is back in racing mode, albeit facing the challenge of sailing upwind to rejoin the fleet. Despite the difficulty, Weöres remains upbeat and focused on the task ahead.
Eyes on the Doldrums
Two skippers who recently faced significant repair challenges are now back in the race and in much better shape. Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée) dedicated two intensive days and nights to addressing serious damage to his boat’s deck and topsides, caused by compression loads from the jockey pole. Using spare carbon battens from the mainsail and reinforcing the area with carbon cloth strips, Burton successfully stabilised the damaged sections. Despite dropping to 24th place, his determination is clear—sailing at 15 knots this morning, Burton is wasting no time in his pursuit to rejoin the leaders. Check out this Youtube for further details https://youtu.be/HosH7YNY1Sk.
As the Vendée Globe fleet inches closer to the Doldrums, strategies will be tested further. Skippers must navigate this notoriously unpredictable zone, where sudden calms and violent squalls can dramatically shift positions. For now, patience and precision remain the keys to success.
