Hardly 48 hours of respite, and here comes another depression showing up. Indeed, this Vendée Globe has caused a few cold sweats.
Since the beginning of the year, the Roaring Forties have been howling in the ears of the competitors. No one will have been an exception. “I found it quite nice to have a little respite, but it won’t last,” anticipates Alexia Barrier, who is taking advantage of the last moments of calm to take care of herself and rest. “Yesterday I was not far from Sam (Davis), we chatted a bit, it was cool, and Ari (Huusela) is not far away either.”
On the back of a massive depression, the solo sailors at the back of the race are experiencing exhausting days, with winds of 35/45 knots (with gusts reaching 60 knots in some places), hail or snow showers, and a heavy, crossed sea. In such conditions, it’s difficult to advance quickly and make up lost ground without risking breaking one’s boat, which is already well-worn after 60 days at sea.
After her shower, the native of the Maritime Alps gybed to head east again. Yesterday, she prepared herself to face this depression currently affecting her two former companions, Miranda Merron and Clément Giraud, who are still 1,000 nautical miles ahead.
The question remains as to which direction this depression will take, which, according to the forecasts, should reach Alexia within the next 24 hours. All that’s left to do is to arm oneself with patience and remain vigilant to take the least possible risk with a little less than 20,000 km to the finish line.
