Vendée Globe

The huge anticyclone lounging off Western Europe is continuing to give the final trio a raw deal as they try to complete this Vendée Globe. From the winning skipper, Vincent Riou (PRB) on 2 February, to Anne Liardet (Roxy), the next arrival to receive the warm ‘Sablais’ welcome, it seems that all the sailors in this race have been faced with the same harsh scenario at the end: upwind in a NNE’ly wind, with the swell running against them. Anne is tacking along 200 miles to the W of Cape Finisterre, trying to track down the best and most comfortable VMG for both her and her boat, fatigued by slamming across the seas. 470 miles from the finish today, Anne is currently expected into Les Sables on Sunday afternoon.

South of the Azores, Raphaël Dinelli has chosen to extend his course by going in seek of some downwind conditions to the W of the anticyclone. As a result he may be able to gain the latitude of Les Sables d’Olonne faster and then tack in the backing wind; from there he will be abeam of a N’ly wind enabling him a direct course towards the Vendée on a single tack. Raphaël is 1250 miles from the finish today on a direct course. He would like to loop the loop on the weekend of 12 March which looks feasible if the seas don’t force him to slow down.

Karen Leibovici (Benefic) is in a transition zone between two unsettled systems today. 400 miles to the W of the Canaries, she has also deliberately chosen to distance herself from the direct course in search of downwind conditions that she’s likely to hit at the end of the day. As a result she is being able to continue her course towards the Azores on a faster and more comfortable point of sail, a refreshing prospect with around 1600 miles to go.
Translation Kate Jennings

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