A High-Speed Dash

For several days, meteorologists have been tracking the formation of a secondary depression between Brazil and the Trindade and Martin Vaz archipelago. Now, the top skippers, led by Charlie Dalin on MACIF Santé Prévoyance, are gearing up to connect with the system, which promises exhilarating speeds of over 20 knots.

Nico Lunven (Holcim – PBR) encapsulated the urgency, saying, “The challenge at the moment is to be as fast as possible to then make the most of the depression that is coming from Brazil, and especially for as long as possible. Those who get there later will have more difficulty exploiting it to the full.”

Currently enjoying ideal trade winds of around 15 knots, the leaders are pushing hard to position themselves advantageously, taking a straighter course down the Brazilian coastline.

Fleet Splits and Strategy

However, the fleet’s record size of 39 boats is beginning to fracture. By the time the low arrives, experts predict a significant split into two groups. The exact cutoff point remains uncertain and will only become evident in the coming days.

Christian Dumard, meteorological consultant for the Vendée Globe, explained the challenge, “It is not as easy as it looks on video animations. The boats must be well-positioned in an initially unstable wind regime to stay with this low-pressure system for as long as possible.”

For the second group, which is now emerging from the Doldrums, the window to catch the low-pressure ride may have already closed. Their route around the Saint Helena high will likely involve a more traditional, longer gybe south before turning towards the Cape of Good Hope.

“The conditions are quite exceptional,” Dumard added, highlighting how the low has formed unusually early in the race. He noted that during the record-breaking 2016 edition, leaders turned south 500 miles further along than this year’s projected path, setting up the potential for unprecedented times at the Cape.

Skippers Eye Opportunity

While the leading group relishes the prospect of racking up fast miles, uncertainty looms. Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) warned, “The door has opened to slice across the Saint Helena high pressure, but it is not certain that this depression will take us all the way to the Roaring Forties. The models are still undecided.”

Boris Herrmann (Malizia Seaexplorer), currently in 13th place, echoed the caution. “The routings say it’s a bit tight for us. We risk maybe only catching the tail of this depression and ending up blocked by the Saint Helena anticyclone.”

Meanwhile, other skippers, including Samantha Davies (Initiatives-Cœur) and Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence), are charting their own strategies, choosing more easterly courses to stay in consistent, albeit weaker, winds for longer.

Mental Fortitude on the Cusp

Skippers on the cusp of the low-pressure system, such as Damien Seguin (Group APICIL) and Isabelle Joschke (MACSF), are grappling with the mental and strategic challenges of navigating the volatile situation.

Joschke explained, “It’s hard to plan because the situation isn’t super clear. There will be small places to slip through, but avoiding the calm areas will be key. It’s complicated to say what the best route will be.”

Eighth-placed Lunven summed up the stakes succinctly: “The fleet is already split in two, and the gap can grow and grow.”

Gaps Begin to Widen

Currently, the first group is about 500 miles ahead of the second pack, which is still shaking off the lingering effects of the Doldrums. Hungarian skipper Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe) faces an additional setback after stopping near Grand Canaria to repair his mainsail.

As the leaders press on towards the Cape of Good Hope, the stage is set for high-stakes sailing and potentially massive time gains—or losses—depending on how each skipper navigates the coming days.

Stay tuned as the drama of the Vendée Globe unfolds. Will the leaders ride the low to glory, or will the chasing pack find a way to claw back the miles?

Crossing The Equator

We welcome the racers to the Southern Hemisphere, the timings, where by the timing is a personal time, how long from the start line to the Equator, is displayed.

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