Vendée Globe

Patrice Carpentier (VM Matériaux) will make his entry into the channel leading to the port of Sables d’Olonne today, Friday, at around 1400 GMT. The sailor/journalist will complete his Vendée Globe outside the official race rules after breaking his boom in the Indian Ocean. A second breakage after repairs off the shores of Tasmania sadly forced him to retire and Patrice then chose to make for Christchurch in New Zealand for further intense repair work. Following the example of Marc Thiercelin (Pro Form) who arrived here last week, Patrice decided to complete this fine adventure by returning VM Matériaux safely back to port outside the rankings. Mission accomplished Patrice.

Still another couple of counter tacks and Raphaël Dinelli (Akena Verandas) will be able to definitively head for the finish line. Less than 140 miles from Les Sables d’Olonne, Raphaël is likely to have to negotiate the last difficult patch over the course of the day and tonight as he crosses the centre of the high pressure ridge. On the menu, light E’ly winds. Salvation will come from the North, with the wind filling out and backing momentarily to the NW, giving Dinelli luxurious downwind conditions for the majority of the final tack home.

A fairly similar scenario is shaping up for Karen Leibovici, 210 miles to the NW of Dinelli and less than 350 miles from the line. Coming in from the North, the young woman should be less slowed than Dinelli. By extending her current tack, she is setting herself up nicely for a favourable N then NW’ly wind shift from tomorrow, which would allow her to drop back down towards Les Sables on a single tack, possibly on Sunday evening. Her timing depends on how easily she is able to negotiate this final ridge of high pressure.
Translation Kate Jennings

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