“It is all good here in the Pacific Ocean—pleased to be in this one,” Dalin remarked during the Vendée Globe LIVE! English broadcast. “It’s very, very unstable tonight, like a frozen doldrums. We’ve got hail squalls, 40-knot gusts, and very unstable wind that’s shifting a lot in direction. So, not an easy night.”
Despite the tough conditions, Dalin remains optimistic about the coming days. “Ahead of me, it looks like a pretty nice stretch for a while—medium to not very strong downwind VMG sailing,” he shared, noting a potential storm near Point Nemo but anticipating calmer weather in the short term.
praise from a pioneer
Dalin’s achievements did not go unnoticed by sailing legend Isabelle Autissier, the first woman to complete the Vendée Globe. During the live broadcast, Autissier lauded his performance:
“Charlie, you are doing an incredible performance. The speed you’ve achieved through the Indian Ocean is really impressive.”
Dalin, visibly moved, acknowledged Autissier’s role in his journey:
“When you were sailing the Vendée Globe, I was a big fan of yours. You definitely inspired me into doing the Vendée myself. I always felt like you are a very, very solid and fast sailor.”
Tough times for the chasing pack
While Dalin celebrates his progress, the fleet behind him faces increasing challenges. Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE), currently in fourth place, described Friday the 13th as particularly unlucky. Trapped in light winds near a high-pressure ridge under Tasmania, he lamented his situation:
“It is the worst-case scenario for me. I thought I would pass the high-pressure ridge easily, but I’m stuck in it. The boats behind me will go around, and the leaders will get away.”
Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB), in sixth place, also feels the pinch of slowing conditions but takes a pragmatic approach. “If you let yourself get frustrated by this, you will be frustrated all the time. The calm zone is developing to our south, and another one is coming up behind. The idea is to position yourself as best you can,” Lunven explained, hinting at a strategic weekend for the fleet.
Insights from the designer’s desk
Guillaume Verdier, the mastermind behind Dalin’s and Seb Simon’s (Groupe Dubreuil) boats, praised Dalin’s race management skills while acknowledging Simon’s struggles due to a damaged foil. “When you drive like he does, you must not overheat—patience, strategy, and tactics are key,” Verdier commented.
For Simon, the damage means a steeper challenge ahead. “He must have two polars running on his software, but it will be heeling at 25 or 30 degrees when reaching instead of 7 or 10,” Verdier elaborated. Despite the setback, Simon remains in contention as the race progresses.
Pacific challenges ahead
As the fleet enters the Pacific, the race promises further tactical battles. From high-pressure ridges to looming storms, each skipper faces a unique test of resilience and strategy. For Dalin, leading the pack is both a privilege and a responsibility as he eyes the finish line with determination.
With half the race behind them, the Vendée Globe sailors are proving that the ocean’s challenges are as unrelenting as their ambition.
