As another competitor is expected again during the day, the conditions are deplorable, both at the finish line and to the southwest of the island of Saint Helena.
Each day has its own troubles since departure. Whether near Les Sables d’Olonne or at the back of the race, this expression holds true. This area near Saint Helena Island is synonymous with weak winds and is known for its anticyclone made of high pressure that extends across a large part of the South Atlantic. It represents a real headache for skippers like Alexia Barrier, who is currently encountering it.
The same old struggle continues as the Azuréenne tackles this difficulty: “Since last night, it’s been quite rough close-hauled on a port tack. Until now it was acceptable, but now… I don’t know who’s in charge of the special effects at the Vendée Globe. It would be cool if they could go on a little vacation so we could have calm seas and 15 knots of wind for a day,” the navigator jokes, though she seems at times to understandably show some signs of frustration!
To get out of this once again capricious sea, she will prepare the big maneuvers once again, clad in her iconic pink and black oilskin in the colors of her IMOCA. “It won’t last very long, I’m going to tack in about 24 hours, so the wind will kindly shift to starboard. Everything is fine because each day I get a little closer to Les Sables d’Olonne. Life is beautiful,” she convinces herself, trying to forget the never-ending troubles since passing through the Pacific last December. Hopefully, the race will soon take a more pleasant turn to better enjoy the remaining 5,000 miles before completing this circumnavigation.
