Vendée Globe

The fourteen boats at the front of the fleet are sailing in the disturbed flow in spring in the southern hemisphere. This flow is relatively gentle for the moment, as the powerful high, now close to St. Helena, was stopping the low-pressure areas from moving rapidly around the area in the previous days. However, a first cold front is accompanying the competitors at the start of this week.  Some will remain ahead for some time with 15-25 knot west to NW'ly winds.  Once the front has gone over, the competitors will have lighter winds, W to NW'ly from 10 to 20 knots. The sea is rough, but is not proving too difficult, as the swell is from the west, which is helping push the boats towards the east. The positioning of boats at around 40° south means there are large changes in wind strength. To the north the high is still present and the westerly winds lighter, while further south the stronger winds tend to be NW'ly ahead of the front gusting to around 30 knots.
Further north, Aviva and Akena are battling with the ridge of high pressure from St. Helena and will shortly be able to take the direct route towards the Cape of Good Hope.  This will be the case for those following on behind tomorrow.  As the high is still slowly moving towards the NE, the final competitors may even be able to take a short cut and avoid taking the long way around, which the leaders were forced to do.
Sylvain Mondon
Météo-France