A tight race at the top
The battle for the lead is heating up, even as the South-Easterly trade winds fail to deliver consistent speed. Yoann Richomme has clawed back significant miles from Charlie Dalin, narrowing the gap to just 25 miles.
Richomme shared his thoughts on the unpredictable weather:
“You lose 100 miles one day and gain 70 the next—it’s disorienting. You have to stay calm, which isn’t always easy.”
Navigating an anticyclone with intermittent calms and light trade winds, the leaders expect to reach the Equator by 6th January. However, their focus remains on managing the narrow margins that could decide the race.
A record-breaking pace
Computer models predict a finish around 15th January, potentially shattering the current Vendée Globe record of 74 days by more than a week. Such a leap would mark one of the most significant advancements in race history, showcasing the evolving technology and tactics of modern offshore racing.
Icebergs: majestic but menacing
While the leaders count down to Les Sables d’Olonne, skippers at the back of the fleet near Point Nemo face a very different challenge: icebergs. This marks the first appearance of ice on the Vendée Globe course since 2008, adding a layer of danger to an already extreme environment.
Antoine Cornic captured the mixed emotions of encountering ice at sea:
“Impressive, majestic… but also a big dose of stress. Beautiful from afar, but you don’t want to get too close.”
For Sébastien Marsset (FOUSSIER), the stress became a reality when his radar alarm signalled an iceberg ahead. Travelling at 17 knots under a small gennaker, he had to act quickly to avoid disaster.
“I was heading straight for it! I furled the sail and managed to slow down just in time, ending up only 2.5 miles from the iceberg,” Marsset recalled.
Meanwhile, Conrad Colman (MS Amlin) turned the icy encounter into an opportunity, using his drone to capture footage of the frozen giant.
Navigating through challenges
As the Vendée Globe progresses, each skipper faces their own unique tests, from tight competition at the front to the raw elements and hazards in the Southern Ocean. Despite the challenges, their stories highlight the bravery and ingenuity that define this legendary race.
With the leaders edging closer to the finish and record books poised to be rewritten, the Vendée Globe continues to capture the imagination of sailing enthusiasts worldwide.
