Cape Horn Cavalcade: Vendée Globe Fleet Gathers for Historic Passage

A milestone for many

With just 238 miles separating fifth-placed Jérémie Beyou (Charal) from 11th-placed Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ V), Cape Horn will see a compact cavalcade of racers. Among them, Germany’s Boris Herrmann will notch his seventh rounding, the most of anyone in this group. For others, including Nico Lunven (HOLCIM PRB), Paul Meilhat (Biotherm), Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE), and Justine Mettraux (TeamWork Team Snef), this will be their first solo rounding of the legendary cape.

At around three-quarters of their World Wide trip, 30mn is all that is between 1 and 2!

Strong winds and brisk conditions will keep the fleet farther offshore than usual, with initial crossings likely occurring in darkness. This challenging but rewarding passage represents a significant milestone for all competitors.

Leaders navigate the cape frio conundrum

Ahead of the pack, Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) and Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) continue their tight duel, both maintaining speeds above 20 knots after clearing a light winds zone. Key decisions now centre on navigating a cold front near Cabo Frio, which could determine who reaches the tradewinds first.

“We’ll have to decide this evening which route to take,” Dalin explained. “It’s not easy with large areas of light winds that shift significantly between weather files.” Despite the challenges, Dalin expressed relief at leaving the Antarctic Exclusion Zone behind, likening it to a noisy neighbour.

The leaders are projected to reach Recife in just one week, with a possible race finish in Les Sables d’Olonne around January 14–15.

Battling the Pacific storms

While the South Atlantic poses its challenges, severe conditions are gripping parts of the Pacific. Olivier Heer (Tut Gut) and Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier) are enduring gusts of 47 knots and 6.5-metre seas between Tasmania and New Zealand.

Photo sent from the boat HUMAN Immobilier during the Vendee Globe sailing race on December 26, 2024. Photo credit: skipper Antoine Cornic. Waves

Meanwhile, Sam Davies (Initiatives Coeur) has opted for a northern route to avoid a particularly harsh system affecting Benjamin Dutreux (Guyot Environnement) and Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence). Crémer has also faced technical issues, with water damage disabling her primary computer systems and forcing her to rely on a backup iPad.

Photo sent from the boat GUYOT Environnement – Water Family during the Vendee Globe sailing race on December 27, 2024. Photo credit: skipper Benjamin Dutreux

Rare calm in the Pacific

For much of the fleet, the Pacific Ocean has lived up to its name, with anticyclonic conditions providing a rare respite. Weather consultant Christian Dumard described the situation as “exceptional,” noting the absence of significant depressions at this time of year.

As the Vendée Globe skippers edge closer to the Atlantic, the challenges of the Southern Ocean give way to new complexities. From the historic Cape Horn cavalcade to the unpredictable conditions ahead, the race continues to captivate with its mix of strategy, endurance, and sheer determination.