Dalin, steering his Verdier design with precision, has maintained a remarkable pace by staying ahead of the centre of a major low-pressure system. This strategic choice has allowed him to benefit from favourable winds and maintain a direct course along the Antarctic Exclusion Zone (AEZ). His efforts could soon reward him with a lead equivalent to 24 hours of racing at current speeds—a testament to his skill and determination.
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Managing the risks
For Ruyant and Richomme, the focus is on balancing risk and speed in the face of rough seas and powerful winds. Ruyant, who was Dalin’s closest rival in the last Vendée Globe, acknowledged the challenge of closing the gap.
“The wind is easing behind us. The goal is to go fast… but even that is not going to make us catch up with the lead that Charlie has taken. If we can stay in this flow, we’ll remain in the game at the head of the fleet,” Ruyant explained.
Navigating in the Southern Ocean’s harsh conditions, Ruyant described the delicate dance between speed and control. “If I set too much sail, the boat accelerates too much in the waves; if there’s not enough, it doesn’t start early enough,” he said, noting that while the rough conditions are unforgiving, his boat has performed admirably.
A new record in sight?
Dalin’s strategic brilliance in the Indian Ocean is a stark contrast to his struggles in this section during the last race. If he continues at his current pace, he’s on track to set a new record for the Indian Ocean passage—a feat that would cement his position as one of the race’s standout performers.
However, his journey is far from over. As Dalin approaches Cape Leeuwin and the southwestern tip of Australia, he is expected to maintain a significant lead over Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), who battled through the guts of the same low-pressure system. Simon’s ordeal required multiple gybes along the AEZ and brought the challenges of big seas and strong winds, contrasting with Dalin’s smoother ride.
Hunters and the hunted
With the Indian Ocean leg nearing its conclusion, the fleet is preparing for the next chapter of the race. Dalin remains the hunter’s target, but as Ruyant noted, the scale of the Vendée Globe ensures that even a substantial lead is not insurmountable.
“Charlie managed to go fast. He’s going to have a nice lead, but on the scale of the Vendée Globe, it will still be a reasonable one,” Ruyant observed.
The Southern Ocean continues to test the sailors’ mettle, demanding not only technical skill but also strategic foresight. As the fleet presses on, Dalin’s precision and boldness in the face of adversity set him apart, while his rivals remain determined to keep the race alive.
For these sailors, the Vendée Globe is a marathon, not a sprint—a battle of attrition where every decision matters. While Dalin may be leading the charge, the story is far from written, and the Indian Ocean promises more drama before the fleet reaches the Pacific.
