Vendee Globe race leaders Charlie Dalin and Sébastien Simon are outrunning a monster low pressure system as they pass the Kerguelen Islands.
At the front of the fleet the race leader Charlie Dalin seemed to be almost enjoying his race which right now is not against his rivals but against the low pressure system.
Dalin is opening distance on Simon. Soon it is likely to be close to 200 miles. And in turn they are both now between 300 and 400 miles ahead of Yoann Richomme (PAPREC-ARKÉA) who leads the chasing pack.
At the back of the centre of the low there are ten metre waves and brutal 60 knots gusts. But if he and Simon can succeed in staying ahead of the worst of the voracious system the gains will be significant.
All the way through the fleet is about setting the level, the cursor determining the level of risk.
Britain’s Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE), Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) and Yannick Bestaven (Maitre Coq V) are in taking a SE’ly route to set up for the next system but have modest conditions, unlike the quartet to their west led by Justine Mettraux (TeamWork-Team Snef). with Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitaine en Provence) 133nm behind her in reports this Friday morning,
Dalin had a 173nm lead at 22:00 hrs Thursday night, with second placed Simon 300nm ahead of the chasing pack led by Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA).
Currently in 7th place, Britain’s Sam Goodchild is 950nm off the leader.
While Samantha Davies is 13th , 1489nm offf the leader.
Vendee Globe Leaders at 10:00 hrs GMT Friday 6 December 2024
1st FRA Charlie Dalin MACIF Santé Prévoyance
2nd FRA Sébastien Simon Groupe Dubreuil
3rd FRA Yoann Richomme PAPREC ARKÉA
4th FRA Thomas Ruyant VULNERABLE
5th FRA Jérémie Beyou CHARAL
6th FRA Nicolas Lunven HOLCIM – PRB
7th GBR Sam Goodchild VULNERABLE
8th FRA Paul Meilhat Biotherm
9th FRA Yannick Bestaven MAÎTRE COQ V
10th SUI Justine Mettraux Teamwork-Team Snef
11th GER Boris Herrmann MALIZIA – SEAEXPLORER
12th FRA Clarisse Crémer L’OCCITANE en Provence
13th GBR/FRA Samantha Davies Initiatives-Cœur
14th FRA Benjamin Dutreux GUYOT ENVIRONNEMENT – WATER FAMILY
15th FRA Romain Attanasio FORTINET – BEST WESTERN
16th GBR Pip Hare MEDALLIA
17th FRA Damien Seguin GROUPE APICIL
18th FRA/GER Isabelle Joschke MACSF
19th FRA Tanguy Le Turquais LAZARE
20th FRA Jean Le Cam TOUT COMMENCE EN FINISTERE – ARMOR-LUX
