“I passed with more than 40 knots of wind and rough seas, which didn’t stop it from being the best Christmas present!” Simon declared. Avoiding the lee of Cape Horn, he kept a safe 30 miles offshore, ensuring consistent winds and searoom for his passage. The milestone comes just over a day after leader Yoann Richomme passed the iconic landmark.
Exiting the pacific
Rounding Cape Horn signals not just a geographical milestone but an emotional release for many sailors tackling the Vendée Globe. For Simon, leaving the Pacific and entering the Atlantic was a moment of celebration.
“Thank you, Pacific. Ciao, Big South, and long live the Atlantic,” he exclaimed after crossing at 0921 UTC. Slowed to single-digit boat speeds, Simon now focuses on climbing the leaderboard as the fleet transitions into lighter winds north of the Horn.
Richomme finds his stride
Yoann Richomme, leading the pack aboard Paprec Arkéa, celebrated his Christmas in calmer seas after extending his lead over Charlie Dalin to nearly 100 miles. His strategic positioning along the ice exclusion zone helped him maintain speed longer, though he eventually slowed as well.
Reflecting on his journey, Richomme remarked, “After a month of big seas and winds, the calm is welcome. The sea has been great since rounding Cape Horn, allowing fast progress north.”
With warmer temperatures creeping in, Richomme is ready to retire his winter gear, focus on onboard repairs, and prepare for the next phase of his climb toward Rio de Janeiro.
Cold challenges and remarkable comebacks
While Simon and Richomme enjoy milder conditions, the sailors still battling the Furious Fifties face relentless cold. Justine Mettraux (TeamWork – Groupe Snef) described the icy chill as unrelenting. “It’s really, really cold,” she said, despite wearing multiple layers.
Despite the discomfort, Mettraux has made impressive gains, catching up to front-runners like Yannick Bestaven and Paul Meilhat after benefitting from stronger winds over the past 24 hours.
Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Seaexplorer) is also making a determined push through the fleet, leveraging weather advantages to close the gap on competitors.
A unique Christmas at sea
For sailors like Jean Le Cam, Isabelle Joschke, Giancarlo Pedote, and Alan Roura, crossing the antimeridian offered a rare experience—two Christmases. The moment is a festive reminder of the quirks of ocean racing and a morale boost during the gruelling voyage.
As the Vendée Globe fleet stretches across vast latitudes, the blend of festive cheer, racing strategy, and determination underscores the resilience of these sailors. Whether celebrating milestones at Cape Horn or enduring Antarctic winds, Christmas at sea remains a uniquely unforgettable experience.
