Battle for the lead
Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) has reaffirmed his position at the front, steadily extending his lead to 47 miles over Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA), with Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) trailing 73 miles behind. After regaining control of the race, Dalin’s meticulous sailing and optimised performance are paying dividends.
As they approach Point Nemo—the ocean’s most remote point, where the nearest humans are astronauts aboard the International Space Station—the skippers are acutely aware of the risks. With rescue operations taking up to 15 days in this area, the pressure to maintain peak performance while avoiding damage is immense.
“This location has never seen so many IMOCAs in one race,” notes the Vendée Globe organisers. “It’s a rare procession of endurance and skill.”
2 minute daily update video
Conrad rounds Cape Leeuwin
We reported yesterday, just as we saw the tracker pass Cape Leeuwin for his boat – and my chat with him early this morning confirmed, he has shot by Cape Leeuwin, picking up speed and passing another competitor – and has his sights on the next! Now at 26th place.
Forgive my graphics skills – but I have circled Conrad below, he is the red and white IMOCA.
Conrad has changed his routing as he saw some interesting wind north of where he was – and he hit the nail on the head, now going faster than any boat in his group. He is currently (0710 20/12) doing nearly 18kn in 21kn of wind. He is taking gusts of 40kn. The sea state is still nasty, 4.4m swell — that is hard on him and the boat; as I spoke to him today, he was (literally) elbow deep in glue to fix issues with his sail (in saying that, is main has two reefs at the moment) and has been up the mast today doing maintenance on the spreaders! I knew there was a reason he had the Crazy part of his name!
The pursuit heats up
While the leaders blaze ahead, the pursuing pack, 600 miles astern, is picking up speed. Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE, 4th) leads this group, exploiting favourable south-westerly winds to accelerate towards the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, Justine Mettraux (TeamWork-Team Snef, 11th) has showcased her resilience despite grappling with technical issues.
“I had the toughest conditions,” Mettraux recounts. “Without a functioning wind indicator, I was sailing blind. It’s been my most challenging gybe yet.”
Mettraux’s efforts have kept her ahead of Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence, 12th) and Samantha Davies (Initiatives Cœur, 13th), who continue to endure upwind sailing in unfavourable weather conditions.
Technical trials
Technical problems have been a recurring theme throughout the fleet. Violette Dorange (Devenir, 25th), the youngest skipper in the race, faced a harrowing moment when her runner broke during a 50-knot squall. “I thought I was going to dismast. It was a terrifying experience,” she admitted.
Further back, Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare, 22nd) performed intricate composite repairs to his hull, while Louis Duc (Fives Group-Lantana Environnement, 24th) overcame a rudder connecting bar failure. These stories reflect the sailors’ ingenuity and determination to stay in the race.
Finding joy amidst adversity
For some, the Vendée Globe is not just about competition but also savouring the unique adventure it offers. Denis Van Weynbergh (D’Ieteren Group, 36th) epitomises this perspective. After addressing issues with his weather vane, Van Weynbergh is progressing northwards with optimism.
“As long as I’m in the Vendée Globe, I’ll be smiling,” he shares. “From sunsets to a good coffee, these moments are what make this journey special. Spending Christmas at sea is an incredible privilege few will ever experience.”
Looking ahead
As the fleet inches closer to the Indian Ocean, the challenges will only intensify. The leaders must navigate treacherous waters with precision, while those trailing push their limits to close the gap. The Vendée Globe is a testament to human resilience, and as the fleet converges at Point Nemo, the race continues to captivate and inspire.
