In the unforgiving expanses of the Indian Ocean, the Vendée Globe skippers are pushing themselves and their boats to the limit. From Charlie Dalin’s race-defining leadership to Louis Burton’s heart-breaking withdrawal, the solo, non-stop, and unassisted round-the-world race continues to epitomise the spirit of adventure and resilience.
Leaders outpace a monster low
Charlie Dalin, aboard MACIF Santé Prévoyance, and Sébastien Simon, on Groupe Dubreuil, are setting a blistering pace at the front of the fleet. The duo has been racing ahead of a powerful low-pressure system, with Dalin using a meticulous strategy to minimise exposure to its worst conditions. With towering 10-metre waves and winds gusting to 60 knots at the back of the system, staying ahead has become an intense contest between skipper and storm.
Dalin reflected on his gruelling yet rewarding efforts:
“I am racing this monster of a low pressure… Every little gain towards the east is pure gold. It means we’ll be caught by the low pressure further east, with a smaller sea state and less strong winds.”
His strategy involved hours of weather analysis, using GRIB files and satellite imagery to assess conditions and routing options. In a testament to the technological advances in this race, Dalin credited his foiling monohull for enabling manoeuvres once reserved for multihulls.
Race-ending damage for Louis Burton
Not all skippers have fared as well. Louis Burton, a celebrated racer who finished third in the last Vendée Globe, was forced to abandon due to critical damage to his mast’s J2 stay fitting. The structural issue left the mast’s security compromised, making further racing impossible. Burton, aboard Bureau Vallée, is now heading to Cape Town, marking a premature end to his journey and becoming the second skipper to withdraw from the 40-strong fleet.
The decision was not taken lightly, with Burton and his team evaluating every possible solution before opting to prioritise safety. His departure is a poignant reminder of the fine line between risk and reward in this extreme race.
Navigating a tumultuous Indian Ocean
Further back in the fleet, skippers are battling relentless conditions. The Agulhas Current near the southern tip of Africa has been particularly punishing, with rough seas and unpredictable gusts. Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ V) likened the experience to an endless roller coaster, while Louis Duc (Five Group – Lantana Environnement) described the ordeal:
“It’s crashing in all directions… I feel like I’m sailing in the Raz Blanchard, except here it’s 24/7, endless, non-stop.”
These conditions demand constant vigilance and put immense strain on both the skippers and their boats. Duc noted how rapid deceleration in rough seas forces him to stay alert, with every moment requiring physical and mental precision.
The Vendée Globe spirit
As the fleet spreads out across the Indian Ocean, the Vendée Globe continues to test the mettle of its participants. From Dalin’s remarkable navigation skills to the heartbreaking setbacks faced by skippers like Burton, the race embodies the extremes of human and technological endurance.
For those still in contention, every mile gained is a triumph over nature’s harshest elements. As Dalin aptly put it, “Every metre is important.” Whether racing ahead of a storm or enduring brutal conditions, the skippers are united by their determination to push forward, capturing the true essence of the Vendée Globe.
