Undoubtedly, this year again the Vendée Globe has maintained its standing as the most challenging solo offshore race in the world. While conditions are improving off the South American coasts, the wind is becoming increasingly unpredictable.
While ten sailors have already made it back to the port of Les Sables d’Olonne, a duel is unfolding in the open sea off Uruguay: Alexia Barrier and Ari Huusela are only about sixty miles apart as they approach a ridge. In other words, these two solo sailors will have to give it their all in maneuvering over the coming hours. “The days are as rhythmical as an Argentine tango. The ever-changing wind requires a lot of adjustments and fore sail changes,” confirms the skipper of TSE-4mypalnet.
On top of that, they must take care of their vessel, which has not emerged from the southern seas unscathed: “Operation disassembly and repair of the Iridium antenna is underway. In 20 knots of wind close-hauled, I feel like I’m on a merry-go-round with a knife in my hand. Tomorrow I’ll dry this antenna that’s taken in water. And then… We’ll cross our fingers that it works and that I can continue sending lots of videos of my end of the race to you.” Added to this is the problem of the leaking desalinator and that pesky hydrogenerator that refuses to stay hooked at the back of the IMOCA.
But with these unstable winds, it’s hard to focus on makeshift repairs. Especially when you’ve spent the majority of your time battling in dreadful conditions over the past 15 days. So, what to do? Repair to experience a calmer end to the race with maximum comfort on board, or continue as is, depriving oneself notably of fresh water and a significant portion of onboard energy until the finish. Moreover, there are only about thirty days of the race left to go.
