A Night of Records
Under flat seas and steady 17–20 knot winds, the 24-hour solo monohull record fell repeatedly overnight. Six skippers—Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE), Nicolas Lunven (Holcim–PRB), Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance), Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), Jérémie Beyou (Charal), and Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA)—took turns pushing the record higher.
Ultimately, it was Richomme, the previous record-holder, who triumphed again. He set a blistering new benchmark of 579.86 nautical miles in a single day, seizing the moment as the fleet capitalised on ideal conditions.
Yet, there was little time for celebration. With a low-pressure system dictating the race dynamics, the leaders remain focused on staying with this fast-moving weather system, which is narrowing and compressing the fleet as lighter winds loom on either side.
Leaders Stretch Their Advantage
The intense conditions have allowed frontrunners Charlie Dalin and Thomas Ruyant to extend their lead. The two top boats now have a 273-nautical-mile buffer over tenth-placed Briton Sam Davies (Initiatives Cœur), a significant stretch compared to the tight 60-mile spread observed just days ago at Fernando de Noronha.
“It is a bit like in life, the rich get richer!” quipped Romain Attanasio (Fortinet – Best Western), currently 16th. His sentiment reflects the stark contrast between those at the front of the fleet, enjoying consistent pressure, and those further back, struggling to keep up in diminishing winds.
Staying Fast, Staying Focused
Sam Davies has remained pragmatic in the face of these challenges. “The conditions have been really nice. It’s just starting now to get a bit more sea state, but the seas have been flat recently, making it easy to sail the boat fast,” she explained.
Davies highlighted the importance of simplicity and preparation in such conditions: “You have to keep life very simple… Everything needs to be in the right place near the nav seat. You’re making small trim and course adjustments, and when you’re going fast, there’s not much else you can do.”
Ruyant’s High-Speed Ride
Thomas Ruyant, currently second behind Dalin, is navigating the fine balance between pushing his boat’s limits and maintaining control. “I just had a spell at 32 knots there,” he said. “We live a life a little crouched, holding on, sitting, lying down, being extremely careful because the boat sometimes has movements and reactions that are unexpected due to the sea state.”
Despite these challenges, Ruyant remains focused on staying with the depression. “We’re not going fast just to break the record but especially to try to keep the best position with this depression… If we can keep it as long as possible, it’s good.”
The Daggerboard Dilemma
While the foiling leaders enjoy their high-speed routing, the older daggerboard-equipped boats face a tougher path. With a slower and less direct course, these competitors, including Jean Le Cam (Tout commence en Finistère-Armor lux) and Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur – Duo for a Job), must contend with longer distances and fewer opportunities to capitalise on favourable systems.
Ferré, a first-time Vendée Globe participant, offered an optimistic outlook: “At this stage of the race, we become a bit animal… I feel like a lion cub in the savannah: during the day, as it’s hot, I take naps, and at night, I go hunting and feed myself.”
Jean Le Cam, the leading daggerboard skipper, remains a steady presence, having mentored Ferré and the youngest competitor, Violette Dorange (Devenir). Both protégés continue to perform admirably in challenging circumstances.
The Race Ahead
As the Vendée Globe fleet barrels towards the Southern Ocean, the battle lines are drawn. The leaders aim to maximise the low-pressure system propelling them forward, while those further back prepare for a more traditional routing around the St. Helena High.
With records tumbling and conditions intensifying, this year’s Vendée Globe is delivering a spectacle of skill, resilience, and tenacity. For these solo sailors, every mile represents another step closer to the ultimate goal: circumnavigating the globe and conquering one of the most demanding challenges in sport.
