Vendée Globe

Cape Horn is more than just a physical obstacle on the Vendée Globe course, it’s a psychological one too. The great ‘left-hand turn’ represents the end of a chapter in the race, marking the exit point of the Southern Oceans.

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) can be expected to round the tip of South America at some point over the next day — in the lead, just as he did in 2001; for him there are just hours rather than days left in the south. Second-placed Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environment) has shed a few of the miles he gained yesterday by holding onto a more easterly course while Mich Desj has tracked south for a more direct line to the Cape, currently sailing in around 35-plus knots for a fast passage around. Bilou is currently 150 miles to the north and will have to gybe down the western coast of Chile.
These two have pulled a little further away from third-placed Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux), who has lost 50 miles to the leaders in the past 24 hours, while Vincent Riou (PRB) and Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) remain locked in partnership just 20 miles apart.
As they entered the Pacific, only 450 miles separated the first six boats. Now there are only three within that distance. With around 7,000 miles let to sail, the 700 miles separating Riou and Le Cléac'h from Desjoyeaux, represent 10% of the course — is it still possible for them to catch the leader thanks to the weather, or sheer boatspeed?
Around 2,000 miles behind the leader, sixth placed Sam Davies has kept her pace up, consistently averaging 16-17 knots on Roxy (GBR). Her determination is not just fuelled by a desire to put miles between Roxy and Safran, but to pass another psychological obstacle in the Southern Oceans. Sam wrote: “Yesterday I passed a special mark in my personal voyage around the globe. Eleven years ago, Royal and SunAlliance was dismasted at 52S 129W during our Trophee Jules Verne record attempt.
“Ever since the start of this Vendée Globe, there has been just one little fear that I have not talked about to anyone because it is stupid - and that is to get beyond the longitude of our dismasting, safe and well.
“So, now it is done - Roxy has passed over 129W and I have toasted our mast, and given Neptune some chocolate. I feel like a little weight has lifted off me and I can now really aim for Cape Horn!”
Rich Wilson (Great American III, USA) has moved up into 12th place ahead of Jonny Malbon on Artemis (GBR), whose average speed over the past 24 hours has dropped to under 8 knots as Malbon battles to save his mainsail, which is delaminating severely.
Retired skipper Seb Josse is also making good progress towards New Zealand on BT and is expected to reach Auckland tomorrow night.

 

Infos précédentes :