At 1820UTC this evening Charlie Dalin, the leader on the water, rolled into his final gybe, just over 20 miles from the finish line off Les Sables d’Olonne.
He has a 55 mile advantage over Louis Burton’s Bureau Vallée 2, and almost 100 miles over Boris Herrmann’s Sea – Explorer Yacht Club de Monaco. However, Herrmann who has a six-hour time bonus in recognition of this part in the successful search for Kevin Escoffier’s liferaft back at the end of November, is travelling at more than 20 knots.
The German skipper is therefore still in contention to be the first non-French winner of the Vendée Globe since the race’s inception in 1989.
Charlie Dalin (Apivia) is expected at the finish off Les Sables d’Olonne between 18h15 and 1900UTC today January 27.
Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée 2) between 22h00 and 24h00UTC
Boris Herrmann (Seaexplorer – Yacht Club de Monaco) between 00h00 and 01h00 on January 28
Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut) between 2h00 and 4h00UTC
Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV) between 02h30 and 04h30UTC
The final sprint to the Vendée Globe finish line will see the frontrunners start to arrive in Les Sables d’Olonne early this evening. The outcome will only become clear in the final miles and you won’t want to miss a second! Here is everything you need to know about where to follow the action.
Vendée English Live #81 : Antoine Mermod, Stu McLachlan & François Gabart
Today, Antoine Mermod, President of the IMOCA Class, Stu McLachlan, Technical Director Team Malizia, and François Gabart, winner of the Vendée Globe 2012-13, were on the Vendée English Live.
