Broken Dreams: Skippers Adapt as Vendée Globe Nears Its End

The damage, which occurred just before midday UTC, left Goodchild unable to use his mainsail’s third reef, forcing him to sail with reduced sails. Previously locked in a tight battle for fourth place with Jérémie Beyou (Charal), Goodchild now faces a drastically different challenge: safely completing the race.

Photo sent from the boat Charal during the Vendee Globe sailing race on January 20, 2025. Photo credit: skipper Jérémie Beyou) navigation station

“It’s disappointing, but we knew the risks were there,” Goodchild said. “I just want to get my boat home in one piece.”

Strategic Challenges

Goodchild is heading east to escape the storm’s worst conditions before attempting repairs. However, the further east he sails, the more likely he will face upwind conditions on the final approach—a significant handicap without a fully functioning mainsail.

Photo sent from the boat VULNERABLE SG during the Vendee Globe sailing race on January 20, 2025. Photo credit: skipper Sam Goodchild

Trailing Goodchild are Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) and Nico Lunven (HOLCIM-PRB), 100 and 130 miles behind, respectively. Both skippers will look to capitalise on Goodchild’s reduced speed in the coming days.

Setbacks Across the Fleet

Goodchild is not the only skipper facing unexpected challenges. Boris Herrmann (Malizia-Seaexplorer) is battling a damaged port foil, which has reduced his speed and maneuverability, particularly on upwind tacks. Herrmann described the foil as “a big brake in the water” and expressed concerns about further damage.

Meanwhile, Swiss skipper Alan Roura (HUBLOT) has struggled with long periods of light wind but found some relief today, clocking the fastest speeds in the fleet under trade winds and sunshine.

“It’s been a disappointing part of the race, but I’m glad to be flying again,” Roura said, noting his determination to finish strong despite the setbacks.

A Race of Adaptation

As the Vendée Globe nears its conclusion, the reality for many skippers has shifted from chasing positions to simply completing the race. For Goodchild, Herrmann, and others, the focus now lies on preserving their boats and navigating safely to the finish line.

Goodchild’s misfortune serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of solo ocean racing, where even the best-laid plans can be undone by a single wave. As he put it:

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing.”

For the skippers still battling the elements, the race to Les Sables d’Olonne is now about resilience, strategy, and sheer determination to complete one of the world’s toughest challenges.