The leaders of the tenth edition of the Vendée Globe will pass through the Portuguese islands of Madeira today. While the first boats seek to stay away from the leeward zone of the islands, several skippers will take advantage of the protective effect of the steep peaks to carry out repairs and continue their non-stop solo race around the world.
The lead pack will pass at a reasonable speed throughout the day today. The new leader of the regatta, Yoann Richomme (‘Paprec Arkéa’), leads the fleet ahead of Charlie Dalin (‘MACIF Santé Prévoyance’) and the British Sam Goodchild (‘VULNERABLE’).
Good start for the British Sam Goodchild.
Nico Lunven (‘Holcim-PRB’) has risen to fourth position after an impressive sprint along the western flank of the fleet at a speed that should give it the 24-hour distance record for a solo monohull, at 546.6 nautical miles ( 1,012.30 km). His fast boat also narrowly holds this same record for a manned monohull, at 640.48 miles, set in May 2023 in The Ocean Race. Lunven’s trademark has yet to be officially ratified by the WSSRC.
Problems, problems
However, problems in the fleet are increasing, especially for Maxime Sorel (‘V and B – Monbana – Mayenne’), Clarisse Cremer (‘L’Occitane en Provence’) and Szabolcs Weöres (‘New Europe’).
Speaking this morning, the new race leader, Richommedeclared: «In the Bay of Biscay I lost some roles and had algae on the keel, so at some point I ended up in the middle of the group, but when the wind came in I managed to escape and was able to get around Cape Finisterre well. I was very fast and took a bit of risk, I was a little overpowered, but I gained some positions. Since then it has been quite pleasant, as the boat is fast downwind with the sea in the background, and I have been quite fast. I didn’t expect to lead, it was a surprise this morning. I thought Sam and Charlie would be ahead. I haven’t looked at the tracking much, but it does mean we’re fast. “I think everyone was tired after these first days of intense racing.”
Necessary strategy
The winds have progressively died down for the leading group. “They have a fairly straight route, with stable conditions and fewer maneuvers to do,” he explained. Basile Rochutmeteorological consultant for the Vendée Globe. «However, around Madeira, they will have to be careful with the large leeward area behind the islands. The leaders could even be slowed by an anticyclonic ridge starting tomorrow, with weak conditions between the Canary Islands and Cape Verde.
“The wind will die down, it will not be easy strategically,” is the analysis of the Swiss Alan Roura (‘Hublot’). “We will have to be opportunistic and intelligent.” Thomas Ruyantranked sixth and dealing with a constant entry of water into his bow locker, also points out: “There are options, differences in wind speed and small roles, and in this case I like being the hunter better.”
Szabi, headdress
Since last night, when he was knocked down by winds of 35-40 knots, the Hungarian Szabolcs Weöres has been struggling to reach Madeira with a badly damaged mainsail and her A7 gennaker furled in the forestay. He heads to Madeira to find a protected bay and see what he can do.
Szabi reported: “It was a terrible night, with winds of 35 to 40 knots, huge waves, side waves that knocked me over, the mast hit the water, the gennaker sheet came loose, the boat was righting itself and I saw a huge hole in the mainsail, 3 meters by 3 meters, something like that, like a large window. And the A7 gennaker is furled in the forestay, I couldn’t do anything in 40 knots of wind. So I have to find a quiet place to take the A7 parts down and see what I can do with the mainsail. It doesn’t look promising. I am very disappointed. “We will see what I can do, I will always give my best.”
Big problems for Sorel and Ruyant
The problems of Maxime Sorel have worsened. He injured his ankle yesterday and is still struggling with the mainsail carriage problem (a system that allows the sail to be locked to the halyard). “I have to face reality: the car is broken,” he confesses.
Like the Hungarian skipper, Sorel will also head to Madeira to seek refuge and be able to climb the mast. “I didn’t expect the start of the Vendée Globe to be so complicated,” he laments.
Conditions toughened in Finisterre.
For its part, Thomas Ruyant He is still trying to solve the water ingress in the front area of his IMOCA, at the height of the sail locker. «Sometimes it seems like Niagara Falls. It costs a lot to pump to empty it, from thirty minutes to an hour every two hours, but it doesn’t stop me from sailing,” he declared. “But hey, we will have other problems and so will others.”
Clarisse Cremer (‘L’Occitane en Provence’) is one of them. He described last night as “hell.” She lost her main headsail. “Without this sail, the next few days with downwind and light winds will not be fun,” he admits.
Guirec Soudee (‘Freelance.com’) has not been spared either: «I can no longer use the spinnaker, which fell into the water, nor the small gennaker. “It’s frustrating not to be at the maximum of the boat’s capabilities.” He is waiting for conditions to be more favorable to make repairs. “I will go to take refuge near Madeira to carry them out.”
Therefore, although the fleet of 40 boats is still complete, the Vendée Globe is already causing more than one problem a day…
#Broken #records #breaks #days #Vendée
