The Vendée Globe continues to deliver drama, determination, and moments of levity as the fleet sails through its fifth day of competition. With the Canaries offering sunshine and smoother conditions, competitors are seizing the chance to make repairs and push forward, but the day has also brought challenges—and the race’s first retirement.
Maxime Sorel Bows Out
In a disappointing turn of events, Maxime Sorel has become the first skipper to retire from the Vendée Globe 2024. After taking shelter off Madeira to address problems with his mainsail hook and track, Sorel was unable to make the necessary repairs. Compounding his difficulties, he revealed
“Unfortunately, I have to admit defeat. My ankle has been severely damaged for four days. I am suffering to the point of having trouble moving on board.” Sorel’s exit is a sobering reminder of the immense physical and technical demands of this solo, non-stop, round-the-world race.
Sunshine and Repairs Near the Canaries
For the rest of the fleet, sunshine off the Canary Islands has lifted spirits and offered a crucial opportunity to tend to their boats. Denis Van Weybergh shared a glimpse of life on board, saying, “I have shorts on under my wet-weather gear—not very sexy, but it keeps me cool.” In better news, Van Weybergh managed to resolve an issue with his Code Zero sail, successfully hoisting it after freeing a halyard caught in broken lines.
Foilers Face a Windless Challenge
Further south, the race’s cutting-edge foilers have been wrestling with light winds as they navigate a windless zone obstructing their route. Charlie Dalin, always poetic in his updates, described his unique experience: “It’s wonderful for me at the moment. I am surfing on a bank of clouds. The cloud stretches far ahead, and there is wind beneath it.” However, Dalin acknowledged the fleeting nature of his good fortune, adding, “I have nearly reached the end of the cloud. After that, there is no more. I think I have exhausted that one. It was fun while it lasted.”
Leaderboard Shuffle
As of 3 a.m. NZT, the leaderboard saw a shake-up, with British skipper Sam Goodchild leading the fleet. Close behind are Sébastien Simon in second and Justine Mettraux in third. The top ten boats remain tightly clustered, with just 45 nautical miles separating them. In such close quarters, every tactical decision could make or break a skipper’s chances of gaining the upper hand.
A Race Full of Twists and Turns
The Vendée Globe is proving to be as unpredictable as ever, with moments of triumph and tribulation shaping the journey for each skipper. While Maxime Sorel’s retirement marks a sombre note, the resilience and ingenuity of the remaining competitors underscore the spirit of this legendary race.
Stay tuned for more updates as the fleet continues its epic journey around the world.
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