The 2024 Vendée Globe has reached a thrilling milestone as the fleet descends into the Southern Hemisphere. Thomas Ruyant, aboard VULNERABLE, was the first to cross the Equator, doing so at 19:10:15 UTC yesterday evening after 11 days, 7 hours, and 8 minutes of racing. This marks the slowest Equator crossing since the 2008-09 race, a testament to the challenging weather patterns faced by this year’s competitors.

By this morning, however, the leaderboard had shifted. Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) regained the lead, with Ruyant just four miles behind and Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) a close third. With only 50 miles separating the top ten boats, the stage is set for a tight and exhilarating battle as the skippers race to position themselves for the next major weather system.

A Compact Fleet With High Stakes

Dalin’s resurgence highlights the intensely competitive nature of this year’s Vendée Globe. Benefiting from his easterly positioning, he now leads the tightly packed peloton racing towards the South Atlantic’s legendary low-pressure systems. Skippers are acutely aware of the stakes, as the depression forming off Cabo Frio near Rio de Janeiro promises a critical opportunity to slingshot towards the Cape of Good Hope.

“This is a lift not to be missed,” emphasised Jérémie Beyou (Charal), who is nursing a twisted knee but remains focused on catching the emerging weather system. Samantha Davies (Initiatives Cœur) added:

“It’s a pretty cool scenario. If we’re lucky enough to catch this depression coming out of Brazil, we’ll be catapulted to South Africa, cutting the route and quickly crossing the South Atlantic.”

Speeds across the fleet currently range between 15 and 18 knots, with the westerly boats facing tighter angles in the trade winds, slowing their progress slightly. As the skippers jostle for position, race management estimates that the leading boats could connect with the low-pressure system within the next 24 hours, though uncertainties remain.

Celebrating Traditions Before the Push South

Crossing the Equator is a time-honoured tradition in offshore sailing, and the skippers didn’t miss the chance to celebrate. Ruyant toasted King Neptune with rum, while Sam Goodchild shared chocolate buttons from his childhood home in Grenada. Samantha Davies opted for beer to mark the occasion.

With festivities behind them, the fleet now faces the critical task of transitioning from the trade winds to the volatile conditions of the Southern Ocean. This pivotal phase will test not only their strategic nous but also their resilience as they navigate the cyclogenesis zone where depressions are born.

Doldrums Drama Continues

While the leaders press ahead, the Doldrums remain a formidable challenge for much of the fleet. Seventeen boats have cleared the zone so far, with Damien Seguin (Groupe Apicil) the latest to escape its grip. However, for those still navigating the unpredictable region, progress is slow and conditions are gruelling.

Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur – DUO for a JOB), who is experiencing his first Vendée Globe Doldrums, shared a vivid description:

“I had huge flashes of lightning, torrential rain… It was more frightening than windy. I wasn’t surprised but I’m happy to have passed the first Doldrums of my life. It looks like a big cloud cluster with crazy lights. The clouds move and carry barrels of water.”

Despite the challenges, Ferré remains upbeat, even as he battles oppressive heat and pockets of calm. His enthusiasm and resilience embody the spirit of the Vendée Globe, where each sailor faces their own unique set of trials while striving to stay competitive.

Fleet Dynamics Evolving

As the race progresses, the fleet continues to stretch out. The distance between the leader and 38th-placed Jingkun Xu (Singchain Team Haikou) now stands at nearly 700 miles, while the gap to

Weöres (New Europe), in 39th, exceeds 1,300 miles.

With the leading pack closing in on the Southern Ocean’s high-speed conditions, the next 24 hours will be crucial. Will they successfully connect with the low-pressure system off Brazil? And who will emerge as the pace-setter heading towards the Cape of Good Hope?

Stay tuned as the drama unfolds in the ultimate test of human endurance and technological innovation on the high seas.

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