Sixth day of racing for the sailors of this 9th Vendée Globe. While the leading competitors have widened the gap with the rest of the fleet, behind, it’s dead calm!
As the leading pack, led by the experienced Jean Le Cam, makes its way quickly towards the Trade Winds, it’s a bit gloomy behind. “Still in light winds off the Azores while upfront they’re charging ahead. It’s not easy; the waves are stronger than the wind, so the sails are flapping. However, I feel like I’m nearing the light at the end of the tunnel; the wind seems more stable. Until now, the instability really prevented me from resting because there were many maneuvers to try to catch any small breeze. But I’m not going to declare victory too soon; I really hope the wind returns so I can head south like the others,” Alexia explained yesterday.
This is a phenomenon experienced by the entire back of the pack. “The wind corridor between the depression and the front above has almost broken apart,” explains Christian Dumard, the Vendée Globe meteorologist. “They are in the heart of a windless zone, and behind, the -calm- is returning. It’s not going to be very enjoyable.”
Nevertheless, the sailor from the Maralpine took advantage of the situation to repair her broken water desalinator. The operation was successful, so with her plumbing certification at hand, Alexia Barrier hopes to find somewhat more favorable conditions in the coming hours! Currently in 28th position, she still has more than 43,000 km of racing left before reaching the finish line.
