A tight lead change
After holding the lead for an impressive 3,000 miles, Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) has relinquished his position to Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA), who now sits just 2 miles ahead. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) remains hot on their heels in third, a mere 7 miles behind Dalin.
Richomme admits the lead change came as a surprise. “It wasn’t planned for me to take the lead again,” he reflects. “The wind must have shifted. I simply followed my route, and it put me ahead. Last night was fast, with speeds peaking over 30 knots – not exactly a comfort zone here.” Richomme also shared a moment of alarm when his AIS (Automatic Identification System) alerted him to Sébastien Simon’s proximity. “I jumped out of my bunk when I heard the alarm!” he says, encapsulating the close-quarters tension at the fleet’s front.
Battles across the fleet
The fight for dominance isn’t limited to the foiling leaders. In the daggerboard fleet, Jean Le Cam (Tout commence en Finistère – Armor-lux) traded VHF radio banter with Louis Duc (Fives Group – Lantana Environnement) as they sailed within a tightly packed group of eight boats, separated by just 110 miles. However, this group faces vastly different conditions compared to the leaders, trailing by nearly 2,000 miles in lighter weather systems.
Between these two groups lies another fierce contest. Skippers Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team SNEF), Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence), and Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Sea Explorer) are battling within a 2-mile spread, contending with the high-pressure system of St Helena. For Crémer, the light winds offered a chance to focus on maintenance, including repairing her hydrogenerator and addressing chafed rigging, critical tasks ahead of the harsh conditions to come.
Emotional highs and lows
For some, the frustration of slow progress in light air is palpable. Boris Herrmann expressed his impatience, longing for the high speeds his boat was designed for. “Sitting inside the boat becomes difficult… we could go at 20 knots, but instead, here we are. It’s frustrating,” he shared.
Conversely, Pip Hare (Medallia) is embracing the race’s competitive intensity. “This is the most competitive edition of the race ever,” she enthused. “Mistakes are costly, but I’ve done my prep and have a strategy in mind for the Southern Ocean.”
Tough nights and close calls
Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE), the leading second-generation foiler, faced a chaotic 12 hours. A broken rudder system, unpredictable winds between 10 and 30 knots, and a terrifying nose dive that left his boat on its side tested his resilience. “I was trying to cook breakfast when hot water went flying,” Goodchild recounted. Despite the challenges, he managed to reset with smaller sails and is back on track.
Storms on the horizon
The challenges will only escalate in the coming days. A strong southern depression is expected to hit mid-week, forcing the leaders to make critical decisions about their route. Yoann Richomme shared his concerns: “We don’t really know how to handle it. The usual escape route to the north is too far, so we might be tempted to go south. It’s less about winning and more about safety.”
Isabelle Joschke (MACSF), further back in the fleet, is already gearing up for the storm. “I’ve left the light airs of the Atlantic and am back to full speed,” she says. Preparing for the Southern Ocean’s fury, she has adjusted her sails, reinforced key systems, and stacked weight aft. “In a few days, I’ll round the Cape of Good Hope, and it’ll feel like starting a new race.”
The road ahead
As the Vendée Globe fleet pushes deeper into the Southern Hemisphere, the race’s legendary challenges come into sharper focus. From razor-thin margins at the front to heroic struggles in the pack, this year’s edition is proving to be one of the most competitive yet. With storms brewing and miles to go, every skipper must summon all their skill, endurance, and resilience to navigate the trials ahead.
The Vendée Globe is not just a race; it’s a testament to the sailors’ spirit and the unyielding power of the sea.
