Navigating ice and low-pressure systems
At the southern end of the fleet, Antoine Cornic (HUMAN Immobilier) and Jingkun Xu (Singchain Team Haikou) are on high alert for icebergs as they traverse freezing waters near Point Nemo. Xu, still recovering from a shoulder injury, admits the cold and ice risks are nerve-wracking but says he’s prepared to endure the hardships.
“After 60 days at sea, I’m still having just as much fun,” Xu said.
Further south, skippers like Conrad Colman (MS Amlin, 22nd) face gale-force winds exceeding 35 knots and towering waves as they make their way toward Cape Horn.
Leaders approach the Azores
At the front of the fleet, Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) and Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) are nearing the Azores high-pressure system. While Dalin leads by 180 miles, lighter winds may allow Richomme to close the gap before stronger winds propel them toward Brittany.
“Today, they are entering a ridge of high pressure,” explains Basile Rochut, Vendée Globe weather consultant. “The race could be decided in an anticyclonic bubble forming near Brittany.”
Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil, 3rd) follows in steadier trade winds but faces a critical decision: whether to push through stronger winds or take a slower, safer route north.
Battles off Brazil
Mid-fleet, the competition is intense. Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE, 4th) narrowly leads Jérémie Beyou (Charal, 5th), with Paul Meilhat (Biotherm, 8th) and Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB, 9th) attempting to close the gap from the east.
“We’ve passed the hardest part of Cabo Frio,” Goodchild reported. “It’s great to finally see routings toward Les Sables d’Olonne—it feels like we’re on the home stretch.”
Emerging group rivalries
A quartet of skippers—Damien Seguin (Groupe APICIL), Romain Attanasio (FORTINET Best Western), Jean Le Cam (Tout commence en Finistère), and Alan Roura (Hublot)—find themselves racing together after weather conditions tightened the gaps.
“It’s frustrating to see competitors catch up after weeks of hard work,” said Roura. “But it’s part of the game, and I’m happy to be here, doing what I love.”
Rookies at Cape Horn
Rookie Violette Dorange (Devenir) is nearing Cape Horn but has slowed to avoid a dangerous low-pressure system. Despite the delay, she remains optimistic, noting that the milestone marks her transition into the Atlantic and warmer conditions.
“This Cape represents the end of the Southern Ocean, and that’s great because I’m starting to get very cold,” Dorange said.
