A Race of Records
Richomme isn’t the only skipper pushing the limits. Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE) clocked 568.35 nautical miles in the same period, maintaining a close rivalry with Richomme. With the leaders hurtling toward the Cape of Good Hope, Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) holds a slim lead of 49 miles, with Ruyant and Richomme only a few miles apart in hot pursuit.
“It’s flying along,” Ruyant said. “We have the right boats for this. We’re not going fast just to break records but to hold the best position with this depression. It’s about staying ahead as long as possible.”
Living on the Edge
Life aboard these high-performance IMOCAs is both exhilarating and exhausting. Ruyant described the experience as “a life crouched, holding on, lying down, and being extremely careful” as the boats lurch unpredictably over the waves. “I feel like a small animal surviving in this hull that goes at Mach 12!”
Despite the challenges, Ruyant is optimistic. “Mentally, I’m fine. Physically, I’m sleeping well, and the boat is at 100%. We’re making up for the delay at the start, so that’s great.”
Fleet Dynamics
The leaders are strategically positioned north of the low-pressure centre, benefitting from stronger winds and calmer seas than those further back in the fleet. Skippers like Sam Davies (Initiatives Coeur) and Justine Mettraux (TeamWork-Team Snef) are about 250–300 miles behind, contending with more challenging conditions.
Further back, Pip Hare (Medallia) in 15th place is positioning herself southward to find stronger winds, while Violette Dorance (Devenir) continues to impress, keeping pace with more advanced boats like Jean Le Cam’s Tout commence en Finistère-Armor Lux.
Eyes on the Cape
With just over 2,000 nautical miles to the Cape of Good Hope, the next few days will test both the skippers and their machines. Ruyant anticipates tough conditions ahead as the fleet edges closer to the Southern Ocean.
“I’m not eager to get into the hard stuff,” Ruyant admitted. “But I accept it. I know there will also be magical moments in the South, and I want to experience them.”
The fleet is likely to stretch further as the leaders continue to ride favourable conditions while the daggerboard boats trail in their wake. However, as Ruyant cautioned, “On a round-the-world race, the elastic stretches but can always snap back.”
Updated video from later in the day
The Vendée Globe remains as unpredictable as ever, with records tumbling and rivalries intensifying. As the fleet approaches the Cape of Good Hope, the race is poised for even more dramatic twists and turns.
