Vendée Globe

A difficult, tough but ultimately sensible decision taken by Roland Jourdain this morning, he will effectively stop racing when his shore team come on board Veolatoday to help him into Ponta Delgado on the island of Sao Miguel. Bilou had to withdraw from the 2004-5 race with keel problems before Christmas.

Jourdain has been second for more than half of this race, pushing Michel Desjoyeaux since 16

December south of Cape Leeuwin, pretty much until he hit the sea mammal on 8

January…then he spent three days making repairs to his boat, mast bulkhead and keel box. But as he says this morning:

“I won’t push my luck”

Jourdain said;

«Once the decision was taken, that was it. I would have found it more difficult to come to this decision if the forecasts had indicated light winds, but it’s the exact opposite.  For 3rd February, they are talking about 50-knot winds with a ten metre swell.  I’ve been lucky to have come this far without capsizing, particularly in yesterday’s storm, so I’m not going to push my luck.  I have gambled enough.  It’s no use now and it would be unreasonable to continue.  It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but it would be even harder, if 24 hours after passing a port, where I could have stopped, I capsized and had to abandon the boat.»

So Armel Le Cléac’h looks to be set to inherit second place now in his first Vendée Globe, the biggest and some would say the toughest yet. He may be the Jackal, ready to pounce, but he has been Mr Consistent, sailing ‘in company’ to Cape Horn with Vincent Riou, each taking the strain, each pushing one an another until Riou, the former champion had to abandon.  

Raphael Dinelli was one hour from Cape Horn when he spoke on the Radio Broadcast at around 1045 hrs GMT. The Sablais skipper has made a big advance on Norbert Sedlacek who is stuck in a high pressure ridge now. He has been slowed and will be for the next 18 hours, but Dinelli said this morning that he intends to stop in the Falklands Islands to make repairs. That is something he has said since the Brasilian coast on the way south.

In the Davies versus Guillemot Sam is still making small gains and she confirmed this morning that she plans to go east of the Azores High pressure system while Guillemot will work to the west, a routing better suited to his enforced double reefed mainsail.  Safran is eased and making more west, 24 degrees lower, while Samis sailing more to the east, and the separation is increasing separation.

Brian Thompson made a small gain on Safran also, but had slowed due to problems with his staysail, He has picked up speed again and is 288 miles behind Guillemot, but he is forced to sail with just a single starboard keel ram operational and can only use 50% cant.

Dee Caffari going quicker again – crossed the Doldrums yesterday morning at 1110 hrs, achieving he ambition to be in the Atlantic again before Mich Desj finished,

Here is today’s summary of the what the French speaking skippers said on today’s radio vacations:

Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environement): The wind is going to the south-west and the seas are calming, but there is more bad weather expected tomorrow.  Essentially because of the forecast, I’m retiring from the race.  There would have been strong winds on the beam all the way up to the tip of Spain.  I would have more regrets if I had to abandon my boat.  I’m taking the wise decision.  I have the opportunity of stopping here, so that’s what I’m doing.  It was in the last 24 hours that I took the decision.  I had hoped this would have been the last low, but there’s another one coming.  Ten metres of swell is forecast.  With 7m swell the boat remained stable, which surprised me.  But with so much water in the ballast, the boat cannot progress in such seas with very little sail up.  My idea was to finish the race, but there are times when you have to be sensible and think of other people.  I don’t want other people to have to risk their lives coming to rescue me.  I didn’t want to ruin Mich’s party yesterday

Marc Guillemot (Safran): Heavy squall with some strong winds.  Wind suddenly went from 20 to 30 knots of wind, which is good for him with sail problem.  Boat speed 16.5 knots at the moment.  Hesitated for a long time about westerly option.  Today, not the best route, but hopes it will pay off in a few days.  Climb back up the Atlantic is complicated and uncomfortable.  Certainly not the most enjoyable stretch of the race.  Very disappointed for Bilou – a great friend and great sailor.  Understandable decision given the forecasts, as he’s not a kamikaze pilot.

Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air):  This morning a bit more complicated as slowed in lighter winds again.  Waiting for the low to move in from NW.  Likely to be rough all the way to Cape Finisterre.  A few difficulties ahead, but the end of the voyage looks easier.  It’s hard on Roland, particularly so close to the finish, but given the sea conditions, that is understandable.  Bilou was really unlucky in the Atlantic.  Others had a bit more luck…I’m not looking at the rankings.  What counts for me is completing the race.  There are traps ahead and I’ll need to be vigilant.    ETA Friday he thinks.

Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Ocean Vital): Can see mountains and should see the Horn in about an hour.  Will be the third time he has seen it.  Wind going from 25-40 knots, whereas just behind Norbert is becalmed. Hoping to go outside and take pictures. A wonderful sight, as huge mountains going right down to sea level. Pacific was very long as he suffered a high to south of New Zealand, which slowed him down. Now looking towards the Falklands.  Counting on stopping on 5th/6th in Falklands for repairs

Sam Davies (Roxy) Wind has been varying in squalls from 8 to 30 knots, so has been busy during the night.  She doesn’t understand why Marc is moving to the west.  Maybe because of his sail limitations.  She is staying on her route as she thinks east is best.  Received a photo of Michel’s celebration party. Had just heard about Bilou.  Really sad as Bilou must be very disappointed.  After all he has done so far. Doesn’t deserve that

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