The Vendée Globe, often described as the “Everest of the Seas,” tests the endurance, skill, and decision-making of solo sailors as they race around the world without assistance. Among the fleet of determined competitors, Kiwi sailor Conrad Colman has once again showcased his reputation for strategic ingenuity, taking a southern route past Madeira while most of the fleet veered north.
The Southern Gambit
While the majority of the Vendée Globe fleet opted to navigate north of Madeira to catch stronger winds, Colman surprised many by diving south of the island. The move was partially influenced by a sail change he made the previous night, swapping a small gennaker for a larger one. This adjustment limited his ability to maintain the northern course but opened up alternative options for the descent down the Atlantic.
Colman reflected on this decision in his latest update, noting, “Welcome to Portugal! That’s right, these two little islands here are literally called Deserted Islands, they’re sitting next to Madeira. I did a stopover in Madeira during the 2009 Mini Transat, my first proper offshore ocean race. I didn’t think I’d be this close again this year, but things got a little closer than I wanted, to be fair.”
Navigational Challenges
Colman’s choice underscores the complex dynamics of solo offshore racing. Two primary weather models—the American GFS (Global Forecasting System) and the European ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts)—presented conflicting predictions for the best route. One suggested sticking close to the African coast, while the other favoured a westward track deep into the Atlantic.
“Routing at the moment is completely insane,” Colman explained, sharing the challenges of interpreting these divergent models. “One route goes down through the Canaries and along the African coast, while the other skives off way out into the middle of the Atlantic. The trade winds, which normally circulate steadily, are being completely shut off by a depression. Either option presents its own difficulties.”
This unusual low-pressure system in the North Atlantic disrupted the expected anticyclone, throwing the traditional trade wind patterns into chaos and forcing sailors to gamble on their chosen course.
A Familiar View with New Challenges
Colman’s decision to take the southern route brought him close to Madeira, a location he knows well from his first major offshore race, the 2009 Mini Transat. The emotional connection added an extra layer of poignancy to his journey, as he navigated waters steeped in personal history under vastly different circumstances.
While the move to the south was initially born of necessity, it also demonstrated Colman’s flexibility in adapting to ever-changing conditions. “When I switched from the small gennaker to the big one, I kind of closed the door on the northern route. But coming this way was also about keeping options open,” he explained.
Risks and Rewards
Colman’s southern gambit is a reminder of the high-stakes decisions that define the Vendée Globe. In a race where every choice carries the potential for great reward or devastating consequence, his willingness to deviate from the pack highlights his boldness as a sailor.
By venturing south, Colman remains poised to respond to the unfolding weather conditions in the Atlantic, keeping the door open to opportunities that may prove advantageous in the coming days. His journey underscores the essence of solo ocean racing: resilience, adaptability, and a readiness to embrace the unexpected.
Looking Towards Tomorrow
As Conrad Colman continues his descent of the Atlantic, all eyes will be on how his strategic choices play out against the backdrop of unpredictable weather and fierce competition. His decision to take the southern route past Madeira may not be the conventional choice, but it exemplifies the creativity and tenacity that make him one of New Zealand’s most compelling sailors.
Fans of the Vendée Globe can follow Colman’s progress on the race tracker, where every mile tells a story of courage, calculation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence on the world’s toughest ocean race.
