Alexia Barrier has begun her ascent of the Atlantic under still quite complicated conditions. Putting emotion aside, she now needs to hoist the sail to try to reach Les Sables d’Olonne in less than 98 days.
As the first arrivals are expected to follow each other into the Vendée port starting this evening, behind them, it’s a race against the clock that begins. While the leaders have managed an express ascent of the Atlantic in just 25 days, the Maralpine plans to return in about thirty days. It’s difficult, therefore, to aim for the record of her IMOCA, which was 98 days at sea to complete the world tour. But like Tanguy de Lamotte, the conditions are quite particular in this Vendée Globe.
And evidently, it seems to continue a bit despite her return to an ocean she knows well: “It’s the grain party off the Falklands. The wind is very unstable, and the passage of these black monsters brings gusts up to 40 knots. It’s not really comfortable, but at least there is wind!” Moreover, it’s been a while since TSE-4myplanet showed such a good average speed (12.2 km/h average over the day).
It’s now time for strategy to ensure the ascent of the Atlantic via paths Alexia has already taken before during the Transat Jacques-Vabre or the Route du Rhum. Two options seem to emerge: following the South American coast before veering a bit after Brazil or taking a longer route in the hope of more favorable winds. For now, it’s still a time of reflection before tackling the last 12,000 kilometers of the race while the leaders enter the port early in the evening.
