Simon’s Comeback Story
Simon, who grew up in Les Sables d’Olonne with dreams of Vendée Globe glory, has demonstrated tactical mastery during this race’s opening week. After being forced to retire in 2020 due to foil housing damage, the 34-year-old skipper has returned with renewed focus. Hugging the rhumb line – the shortest, most efficient route south – Simon has eased ahead of Jean Le Cam, who is languishing in light winds just west of the African coast.
The ridge of high pressure blocking much of the fleet has played havoc with several skippers’ plans, including New Zealand’s Conrad Colman (MS Amlin). Colman, like Le Cam, has struggled to escape the windless zone, giving Simon a clear path to consolidate his lead.
Sam Goodchild Impresses With Tactical Genius
Sunday also marked a remarkable resurgence for British sailor Sam Goodchild aboard VULNERABLE. Capitalising on a narrow corridor of breeze, Goodchild reached speeds of up to 20 knots while many of his competitors floundered in single digits. Now sitting comfortably in third place, roughly 400 miles northwest of the Cape Verde Islands, Goodchild’s strategic brilliance has drawn admiration across the fleet.
Damien Seguin (Groupe APICIL), currently in 11th place, was full of praise:
“His course choices are magnificent. He executed his strategy to perfection. He’s going to create a nice little gap! I like his way of sailing.”
Even rivals couldn’t help but acknowledge Goodchild’s masterful positioning. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) begrudgingly admitted, “Sam has found a mouse hole… It’s frustrating. He already has a good lead, and it’s going to get worse.”
Fleet Battles Wear and Tear
Even in relatively calm conditions, the Vendée Globe fleet has faced its share of mechanical challenges. Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée) reported cracking near his deck after hearing ominous noises in a squall. As of Sunday, Burton was still assessing and repairing the damage.
Other skippers also dealt with onboard repairs, including Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe), who stopped near the Canary Islands to fix his mainsail, torn during a knockdown earlier in the race. Fabrice Amedeo (Nexans – Wewise) successfully repaired his keel ram support, admitting that DIY tasks aren’t his strong suit:
“I’m not a handyman… To succeed here, it’s really nice!”
Meanwhile, Pip Hare (Medallia) has been hard at work repairing her hydrogenator system, ensuring the sustainability of her onboard power supply.
Challenges Ahead
As the race progresses, skippers face a mix of unpredictable weather and mounting pressure to make the right strategic moves. Simon’s lead is far from secure, with a long journey still ahead and the chasing pack eager to close the gap.
The Vendée Globe is proving once again why it’s the ultimate test of solo sailing: a competition that blends skill, endurance, and ingenuity.
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