The night was good for Alexia Barrier after almost a week of very difficult conditions! The skipper and boat need to recharge their batteries.
A Vendée Globe has never been this close. At the front, there are still about ten competitors who could claim victory. At the back, slightly behind her two companions, Miranda Merron and Clément Giraud, the competitor from the Maritime Alps has not said her last word: “I’m hanging on, I won’t let Miranda and Clément get too far ahead, don’t worry.” A promise kept because last night, the black and pink IMOCA was only 60 miles behind Miranda and 30 miles behind Clément.
The small gap was partly due to a planned slowdown for repairs the day before yesterday, with her feet in water at 6°C, fixing the attachment system for her hydrogenerator. A maneuver that didn’t cost her much time but was enough to create a gap with her fellow competitors.
But today was a day of rest aboard the former monohull of Catherine Chabaud: “I’ve only been sleeping and eating to regain strength after these few days spent in the front, I really needed it. The Indian Ocean can be exhausting at times, but yesterday the weather was beautiful, it was amazing.”
Now, it’s time to regain strength to tackle the end of the Indian Ocean before entering the Pacific, probably by the new year! Good news, Alexia Barrier crossed the symbolic milestone of 20,000 km completed yesterday morning. Only 27,000 km more to go before returning to port!
