Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) in the lead, the Vendée Globe leaders entered the dreaded Doldrums on Wednesday, an intertropical convergence zone known for its unstable weather which had already started to slow down the boats in the evening. “The sailors have to juggle between the squalls, sometimes nasty and sudden, and the soft ones. This requires them to constantly change sails and then be on the lookout for the slightest upheaval,” explained Jacques Caraës, assistant race director.
After spending their Tuesday on flat seas, in ideal conditions with a wind between 18 and 20 knots, the first twelve in the ranking saw their average speed halved in a few hours, in the middle of the afternoon. “Entering the Doldrums, thirty knots of wind, there is a squall and we can no longer see anything,” lamented Paul Meilhat in a video from on board. Ranked 12th at 7 p.m., he was one of the few to have retained some speed.
The change of pace was particularly marked for Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea), new record holder for distance traveled in 24 hours (551.81 miles, average speed of 22.89 knots), flashed at 7 small knots at 7 p.m. . Cumulonimbus clouds, violent storms, torrential rains, weak and variable winds, nothing should be spared the leaders, who could, however, extricate themselves from it as early as Thursday evening for the most inspired.
“It’s a passage that I don’t know at all. I try to observe the cards, to understand how it works. I try to prepare for it as much as possible. I know that there will also be an element of luck,” estimated the youngest in the competition Violette Dorange (Devenir), 27th and leaving to return in just one or two days. At the rear of the fleet, Fabrice Amedeo (Nexans – WeWise), 35th, was sailing at a very reduced speed after reporting a problem with his keel.
Ranking for the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe on Wednesday at 7 p.m.:
1. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) 21,570.54 nautical miles from the finish
2. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) 8.71 miles from the first
3. Samantha Davies (Initiatives-Cœur) at 30.29 miles
4. Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence) at 38.05 miles
5. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB) at 39.88 miles
6. Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V) at 43.01 miles
7. Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team Snef) at 49.93 miles
8. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) at 54.37 miles
9. Thomas Rettant (Vulnerable) at 56.47 miles
10. Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) 56.81 miles from the first
…
39. Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe) à 1,152 milles
Abandon :
Maxime Sorel (V and B-Monbana-Mayenne)
