Still leading the fleet, Yannick Bestaven has put on the turbo in the last few hours in preparation for his passage of Cape Horn expected this weekend... With a boat in good working order despite 53 days at sea, the Frenchman from La Rochelle is already looking aheadto the Atlantic.
Pip Hare's message today, "The last 24 hours have been about maximising the VMG potential of Medallia, with the big kite up I have been trying to make my way downwind, sailing on flat seas in breeze from 10-20 knots and trying to use any significant shifts in the wind to gybe in towards the ice limit. It's been going well and when I logged onto check the positions at 4am this morning I have gone up to 16th place. I did do a little air punch and on the spot dance. I know this is going to be short lived and it is just because I can sail a better downwind VMG course than Cali with his foils. But I have made it into the top half of the fleet!! Yes!! I will take that. I have taken a picture so I can remember.
Two days before the passage of Cape Horn a particular weariness is evident among the chasing pack in particular. The final days in the Pacific are filled with thoughts of the gale force winds at the Horn, the pervasive damp and cold and just the accumulated fatigue 53 days at sea. It all makes the final miles in the Southern Ocean very difficult. If anything it is better for the leaders who have a chance of increasing their break, extending their margin before the climb up the Atlantic.
Yannick Bestaven Leads by 110 miles, Ruyant back up to third, Clarisse celebrates her 31st birthday at Point Nemo
For the top group on the Vendée Globe simultaneously the atmosphere is electrifying, stressful and very chilly with 1300 miles to go to Cape Horn mainly because at 55°S the race remains intense for the first fourteen boats, but also because the gaps keep compressing from behind, always seeming to favour skippers chasing the leaders.
Guests of the day : Will Harris & Mike Golding
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