On his 52nd birthday, Bestaven should have been celebrating his milestone rounding of Cape Horn. Instead, he is battling to remain in the race after a breakage in his steering system left his boat nearly unmanageable in heavy Southern Ocean conditions. Speaking candidly on Vendée LIVE! today, Bestaven described the challenge:
“Yesterday the link bar connecting the rudders and the shaft separated. My boat is unsteerable in 30 knots of wind and 5-metre waves. I’ve set up a temporary system with a gennaker sheet to steer and am making slow progress under mainsail only.”
With 250 miles still to Cape Horn, Bestaven is considering seeking shelter near the Horn or in Ushuaïa to assess repair options. “Cape Horn is not the finish line,” he noted. “I need my boat in a good enough state to get back to Les Sables d’Olonne.”
Tight battles at the horn
Meanwhile, six skippers passed Cape Horn within a 10-hour window in winds gusting up to 40 knots. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) and Nico Lunven (HOLCIM-PRB) crossed just 15 minutes apart, while Boris Herrmann (Malizia Seaexplorer) edged out Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) for seventh place by only 31 seconds. Briton Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) rounded in ninth, reflecting:
“It feels great. It’s the fifth time I’ve set out hoping to get to the Horn and the second time I’ve made it. A huge milestone.”
- Advertisement, article continues below -
Leaders navigate strategic decisions
At the front of the fleet, Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) leads Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévention) by 130 miles. Both skippers are eyeing a pivotal weather system at Cabo Frio, with Richomme explaining:
“There are two main options—stick to the rhumb line and deal with the active front or go east to shoot the centre of the high. It’s a tough decision, and I’ll need updated weather files to decide.”
Despite intense conditions and over 50 days at sea, Richomme remains focused, buoyed by strategic gains and a stroke of good fortune in recent weather patterns.
Pip hare’s inspiring resilience
In Melbourne, Australia, Pip Hare received a warm welcome after completing a gruelling journey under jury rig. Hare sailed nearly 800 nautical miles to reach safety following her dismasting two weeks ago. Her perseverance continues to inspire ocean racing enthusiasts worldwide.
Watch Pip’s video series created while returning to Melbourne – click here.
Looking ahead
As the fleet transitions into the South Atlantic, challenges remain steep, from critical repairs to strategic navigation decisions. For Yannick Bestaven, the immediate goal is survival, while at the front, every choice could determine the race’s outcome. The Vendée Globe is proving once again that this is not just a test of skill but a battle of endurance and determination.
