As the Vendée Globe nears its finale, the North Atlantic lives up to its reputation, testing the resilience of sailors and their boats alike. With exhaustion setting in and stormy weather battering the fleet, this leg of the journey has proven to be one of the most challenging. Jérémie Beyou is leading the charge toward Les Sables d’Olonne, with other skippers bracing for gale-force winds and mountainous seas.
Battling to the finish: Jérémie Beyou leads the pack
Jérémie Beyou, aboard Charal, is on course to claim fourth place, with an expected finish late tonight. The seasoned skipper, who previously achieved third place in the 2016–17 Vendée Globe, described the final days as nerve-wracking.
“The whole end of the course is difficult,” admitted Beyou. “Rounding Cape Finisterre brought 35–40 knot winds. The boats are worn out, and so are we. I haven’t slept in ages, and I’m constantly on alert.”
Despite these challenges, Beyou has maintained a 150-mile lead over Paul Meilhat (Biotherm), cautiously navigating unpredictable weather and mechanical issues.
Meilhat and Mettraux on the chase
Following Beyou, Paul Meilhat is holding steady in fifth place. Meilhat has noted the complexity of the weather systems affecting the fleet, particularly the persistent low-pressure systems in the North Atlantic.
Swiss skipper Justine Mettraux (TeamWork-Team Snef) continues to impress in her debut Vendée Globe. Currently eighth, Mettraux is gaining ground on seventh-placed Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE), whose progress has been hindered by technical issues. Mettraux’s determination has been evident throughout the race, and she could secure seventh place by the time she crosses the finish line, expected late Saturday.
Storms brewing: A race against time
For skippers still hundreds of miles from the finish, time is of the essence. A major low-pressure system, forecast to generate winds of 50–60 knots and massive seas, is bearing down on the fleet.
Sam Davies (Initiatives Coeur), currently racing to beat the storm, acknowledged the challenge ahead:
“I’m cutting it fine to reach Les Sables d’Olonne before the front hits. The conditions will make it nearly impossible to navigate the harbour entrance safely. I’m hoping for a small window to cross the finish line before the storm arrives.”
Skippers further back, including Benjamin Dutreux (Guyot Environnement-Water Family) and Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane en Provence), are also racing to outrun the storm.
Daggerboard duel in the trades
North of the Equator, the battle for the top non-foiling position is heating up between Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur-Duo For A Job) and Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazaire). Ferré holds a slender 15-mile lead, but the competition has been fierce since the fleet rounded the Cape of Good Hope.
“It’s incredible to be racing this closely for so long,” said Le Turquais. “Every manoeuvre feels critical, and I’m fighting for every second. This race is as much about strategy as it is endurance.”
Cape Horn milestone for van Weynbergh
Further south, Belgian skipper Denis van Weynbergh (D’Ieteren Groupe) became the last competitor to round Cape Horn. For van Weynbergh, the moment was bittersweet:
“The boat is slamming violently in the head seas, and I’ve had to reduce sail to prevent damage. I passed the Cape in the middle of the night, so I couldn’t see it, but I’ll celebrate later.”
Van Weynbergh now faces the challenges of the Atlantic with a fatigued boat and crew.
An ocean of endurance
The North Atlantic’s relentless conditions have once again proven why the Vendée Globe is considered one of the toughest races on Earth. With unpredictable weather, mechanical failures, and the physical toll of solo sailing, skippers must dig deep to reach the finish line.
For the leaders, the final miles to Les Sables d’Olonne offer both relief and trepidation. “It’s human nature to think about the finish,” Beyou remarked, “but you can’t let your guard down—not for a moment.”
