The Vendée Globe has never been as closely contested in terms of rankings. Whether at the front of the race or at the back, the gap between the competitors promises an exciting end to the race.
Indeed, there is more than a 6,000-mile gap between the leader, Charlie Dalin, and the last, Ari Huusela, at the dawn of the 74th day of the race. A significant gap that represents about an extra month of sailing; nonetheless, at this stage of the race, it is the smallest gap between the front and the back of the fleet. “This is unprecedented,” noted Christian Dumard from the Vendée Globe’s weather team this morning. It’s also a way to highlight that all those who have survived the race, regardless of their positions, are achieving a top-tier Vendée Globe.
About 72 hours ahead of the Cape Horn crossing, Alexia Barrier is making sure to fully experience the moment, possibly in good company: “Sam (Davies) will be a few hours ahead of me and she might encounter a lull with very little wind, so I might catch up with her. If we could both be at Cape Horn at the same time, it would be funny.”
With a good overall speed of about ten knots by late afternoon, which has been her usual pace since her “near dismasting,” TSE-4myplanet is closing in less than 800 nautical miles from the southern tip of South America without rushing. “I’m racing at my own pace, with my old boat, and I’m really eager to pass this third cape,” longs the skipper from Alpes-Maritimes, who is relentlessly inching closer to this much-desired goal. Roll on Sunday!
