Day 60: Is the Joyride Still Thriving?

Meanwhile, off the Brazilian coastline, a group is attempting to navigate into the SE’ly trade winds, led by Jérémie Beyou, Charal, in 4th position, and Sam Davies, Initiatives Cœur in 13th.

Another day at work

After over 60 days of competition, skippers continue to test their boundaries. In contrast, the leading trio is nearing the finish line and currently experiencing relative ease. Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance, 1st), Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA, 2nd), and Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil, 3rd) seem to be quite fortunate. The top two are nearing a high-pressure ridge with lighter winds, located 500 miles WSW of the Canaries, but they are almost sensing home as they note the last nautical milestones while heading north.

“Today, they are entering a high-pressure ridge where the wind is somewhat milder (7 to 10 knots instead of 15). Once they exit it tomorrow, they’ll begin to encounter increasingly stronger winds,” elaborates Basile Rochut, the Vendée Globe meteorological advisor.

The leading pair are anticipated to pass southeast of the Azores, although there remains a possibility that the race outcome could be influenced by an anticyclonic bubble forming around Brittany, potentially requiring them to tack multiple times down from Brittany – ironically perhaps taking them back past their actual home waters – until they reach the finish in Les Sables d’Olonne. Currently, it seems Dalin is likely to finish on Tuesday afternoon, with Yoann Richomme a few hours behind. This afternoon, Dalin’s lead has marginally increased to 180 nautical miles.

Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil, 3rd) is also progressing in the trade winds. The low-pressure system that will provide robust winds to the top two will compel him to make a tactical decision: either to navigate northwest, risking a slight slowdown, or to head southwest and face stronger winds.

Beyou leading the charge off Brazil

Approximately 2100 miles further south, a fierce competition continues off the Brazilian coast involving seven skippers who are equally resolute in securing the best possible finishing position. The group to the West – nearest the coastline, now led by Jérémie Beyou (Charal, 4th) and Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE, 5th) seem to have gained a slight edge. To their East, Paul Meilhat (Biotherm, 8th) and Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB, 9th) are striving to catch up by making multiple upwind tacks.

All are now starting to exit the region where the volatile, unpredictable storms were most severe, with only Justine Mettraux (Teamwork – TeamSnef, 10th) still potentially affected.

Trailing this group, the circumstances are comparable for Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence, 11th), Sam Davies (Initiative Cœur, 13th), and Benjamin Dutreux (Guyot Environnement – Water Family, 12th). Crémer and Davies, positioned further west, should take advantage of a low-pressure system that will assist them in capturing the best winds. Vendée sailor Dutreux is positioned out east, seeking the wind shift that will propel him north.