Image: À bord de Biotherm (Paul Meilhat).  © Paul Meilhat

After 40 days at sea more than 800 miles separate the leading trio – Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance), Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) and Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) – from their pursuers. Nevertheless, this second group which extends from Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE, 4th) to Justine Mettraux (TeamWork-Team Snef, 11th) is progressing in the same giant low pressure system as the leaders.

Vendée Globe weather consultant, Christian Dumard explains: “The first group are ahead of a small front which is part of this large depression system. The others are progressing around an anticyclone and are all starting to advance in this system. It is therefore the same weather system from Charlie Dalin to Justine Mettraux. Let's hope it lasts!"

 

Today’s priority for the leading trio is to manage a wind rotation from north west to south west in a weather front that will force a gybe onto starboard tack. After a week of intense racing with his two rivals, in which he briefly lost the lead while carrying out a sail repair that took 36 hours, Dalin remains resolutely upbeat:

 

"Everything is going well – we are at the front of the front and we have a great angle towards the east. I think the gap is going to widen slightly with Sébastien. I've got a long stretch with no manoeuvres, which is good – it's easier to sleep and to recover, get energy back. We had some sunshine during the day, so this gives you a bit of energy when you have a bit of sunshine and instantly it gets a bit better. The Pacific was pretty good in that respect – we often had a little sun between the clouds."

“I'm happy to be in the lead, happy to have a boat in a very good state for the Atlantic stretch. I am starting to do my routings in the Atlantic, it's cool!" Dalin adds. "We have a significant lead over the others and it's easier to manage three boats than a fleet."

 

Dalin also says that in this edition of the race he has, “always been in a racing mode and never had to switch to survival mode. Just a good racing mode all the way. On board, I live my own little life and I never feel alone. What is impressive is the speed at which the days go by. I can't get over it."

 

A split in progress, another to come?
At the same time, the chasing group of eight boats, which extends from Ruyant (4th) to Mettraux (11th), has considerably widened the gap with the rest of the fleet in recent days. A split occurred as a result of Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence, 12th) and Samantha Davies (Initiatives Cœur, 13th) having been forced to sail close-hauled to the north of a low pressure system.

 

They are now 900 miles back, to the south of New Zealand along with Benjamin Dutreux (GUYOT environnement – Water Family, 14th) and Romain Attanasio (Fortinet-Best Western, 15th). “They will be close-hauled, then reaching in crosswinds before returning to a more usual weather system from Monday,” says Dumard.

 

Behind them Isabelle Joschke (MACIF 17th) and Alan Roura (Hublot 18th) are less than six miles apart at the head of a group of five boats that passed the latitude of Tasmania yesterday and are now making progress in the Pacific Ocean. The rest of the day does not look easy, due to complex weather patterns between depressions and windless zones. "Under New Zealand, this group could split in two, between those who will try to sail upwind and those who will attempt a more southerly route", predicts Dumard.

 

A great exotic phase
Meanwhile Boris Herrmann (Malizia – SeaExplorer, 8th) seems far removed from the pressures of four years ago, when he says, “it wasn’t easy being the first German to compete in the Vendée Globe.” He assures us that he doesn’t suffer from loneliness and almost regrets the end of the Southern Ocean that is looming, calling it a “great exotic phase that won’t last.

 

“Being able to be connected, to contact loved ones, gives the feeling of being connected with the world. I also feel better on board and there are lots of little things that make me appreciate what I’m experiencing more. I like my rhythm, waking up, morning coffee, the good energy on the boat… Earlier, I stayed on deck and I was able to enjoy it: these are little moments of happiness that offer a nice alternative to our locked-up lives.”