Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) is reataining his lead at the head of the Vendée Globe fleet with an ETA of 14 Jan. He’s 177 miles ahead of Yoann Richomme (Paprec-Arkea), with less than 1,700 miles to go.
Meanwhile, after exactly two months at sea, a low pressure system has been battering a group of six competitors off the Falkland Islands.
“At this point, it’s not racing. I am more surviving in this storm,” says Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG Mori Global One). “I am in the strongest wind I will have for this storm at the moment, so I just hope to get out of this without any harm and to be back racing soon.” He’s close to the ice zone.
Shiraishi’s boat is still in good shape. “The boat condition is really good, although I don’t have any more spare battens, I don’t have any other damage on my sails or my boat. What changed from four years ago is the boat preparation. The boat is really dry and I don’t have to bail out water as much as I did four years ago.
“Of course the ranking my sponsor asked me to be in, which is eighth place or better, is really hard to take. I mean, being in eighth place in this Vendée Globe means that you need to be with the top of the fleet all the time. And for me and the conditions I’m in, it’s not doable.
“The top two boats are doing an unbelievable race. They’re doing great racing and it’s really fun to see them racing this hard. In the group I am in, there are lots of rookies and young sailors. So the old man that I am is trying to keep up with all these guys, and I’m trying to do better than all of them. The Vendée Globe is the longest race in the world, all sports combined, whether in duration or distance. There are still many miles to reach home, it is not easy obviously, I must first get out of this storm and the rest will happen.”
The boat is slamming badly, says Sam Davies
Sam Davies (Initiatives-Cœur) says her boat’s creaking and groaning, in a wild sea state, but she’s upbeat and optimistic. She’s currently 1,700 miles north of Shiraishi, negotiating a small low-pressure system spinning off the thorny semi-permanent cold front off Cabo Frio.
“I’ve got nearly 20 knots of wind, but the sea state is heinous, so bad I can’t speed up because I’ve got these massive waves right on the nose and the boat is slamming so badly. So the sea state’s limiting me – that’s really annoying, but I’m just kind of making some progress the best I can… trying not to destroy everything with this really violent sea state – you can hear the waves just slamming and I’m actually sailing slowly.
“We’ve got to get out the other side and there’s going to be some thunderstorms there and I’m not sure if we will end up stuck in no wind zones under the storms on the north side of this.
“There’s not really much you can really learn from what happened ahead because I don’t think the boats ahead had this little low pressure that we’ve got, so it’s a little bit different.
“For me it just seems like the time’s gone so fast, but then when I think about everything that’s happened between the start and now, then you realise that we have just sailed around the Antarctic and this race is really full on. For me, I’m so happy to still be in the race.
“There are bits on my boat where I can see that it’s been two months at sea and there’s a bit of wear and tear. In this slamming sea it’s just so stressful knowing that the boat’s tired and you are definitely treading on eggshells a little bit.
“All the blocks in my mainsheet system are completely destroyed, but I don’t have enough to replace them, so gently over the last few days and weeks they have spat out all their ball bearings bit by bit. Now I’ve kind of got just solid sheaves – I’m nursing my mainsheet because obviously it’s wearing a lot more and the whole system’s creaking and groaning. There are other bits on the boat that are creaking and groaning as well, but I guess that’s just normal after two months at sea.
“Luckily the skipper’s not really creaking and groaning, so that’s good. I still feel in good shape and feel like I’m going to be able to push all the way back to Les Sables d’Olonne. Obviously there’s been a few retirements and especially thinking about Pip [Hare], a fellow English female sailor and what happened to me four years ago. I guess the biggest conclusion and feeling at the moment is just so happy to still be here in the race and still be able to push the boat and send it.
“It’s incredible to feel how quickly the time has gone and that we’re already a pretty reasonable way up for the Atlantic looking at routing through the equator. The leaders are going to arrive in a few days – that’s just even more incredible.
The Vendée Globe, one of the most prestigious solo sailing races in the world, is known for pushing sailors to their limits as they navigate the treacherous Southern Ocean. This year, however, the competition is set to reach new heights as the record time is expected to be completely exploded.
With advancements in technology and boat design, sailors are now able to sail faster and more efficiently than ever before. This, coupled with the skill and determination of the competitors, has set the stage for an incredibly fast and competitive race.
The current record for the Vendée Globe stands at around 74 days, but many experts believe that this year’s fleet has the potential to finish the race in significantly less time. With favorable weather conditions and a highly competitive field of sailors, the stage is set for a record-breaking performance.
One of the key factors that will contribute to the record time being shattered is the introduction of foiling technology. Foils, which are retractable wings that lift the boat out of the water, reduce drag and increase speed. This technology has revolutionized the sport of sailing and has enabled sailors to reach incredible speeds.
In addition to foiling technology, sailors are also utilizing advanced weather forecasting tools to find the most efficient route around the globe. By analyzing weather patterns and ocean currents, sailors can make informed decisions about when to push harder and when to conserve energy.
The Vendée Globe is not only a test of speed and endurance, but also a test of mental strength and resilience. Sailors must navigate through extreme weather conditions, loneliness, and sleep deprivation as they sail around the world alone. Only the most skilled and determined sailors are able to endure the challenges of the race and emerge victorious.
As the start of the Vendée Globe approaches, excitement is building among sailing enthusiasts around the world. The prospect of a new record being set has captured the imagination of fans and competitors alike. With the perfect mix of technology, skill, and determination, this year’s race is sure to be one for the history books.
In conclusion, the Vendée Globe is set to push the boundaries of solo sailing even further this year. With the record time expected to be completely shattered, sailors are gearing up for the challenge of a lifetime. As the world watches in awe, the stage is set for an unforgettable race that will go down in sailing history.