Side by side since the start of the race, Miranda Merron and Alexia Barrier have drawn closer to within a few miles of each other before facing difficult conditions during the day.
After 37 days at sea, it must be a relief to realize that you’re not alone in this beautiful struggle that is the Vendée Globe. The two friends from the fleet, Alexia Barrier and Miranda Merron, who have been sailing quite close to one another since the start of the race, made an almost deliberate move to come closer yesterday in the mid-afternoon.
A situation that will allow them to more calmly face the weather conditions expected to become more complicated today and tomorrow. “It’s so great to see someone! We talked on WhatsApp because my VHF isn’t great. She’s not far, it’s awesome, we’re going to race together, it’s fantastic,” rejoices the skipper of TSE-4myplanet. “We’re resting because tonight (this morning) it’s going to be tough. The slap machine is going to start up. I dread this moment a bit but we’re ready to face this strong wind.”
The two women will also be able to count on the support of Jérémy Beyou, who has taken the lead of the small group of stragglers. Nevertheless, this last group will need to keep a watchful eye on the Kerguelen area, which a very intense low pressure system is about to visit. Similarly, Christian Dumard (Great Circle), the Vendée Globe’s weather expert, has already cast another eye on the cyclonic activity stirring near Fiji.
Therefore, caution is advised for the competitors who are currently advancing at a slow pace (5 knots on average for TSE-4myplanet).
