Every Vendée Globe is different. And in the case of this edition compared to 2016-17 history does not repeat itself. In 2016, Armel Le Cléac'h passed Cape Horn after 47 days at sea and this time the current leader, Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV) turn left out of the Pacific after 55 days. And four years ago second placed Alex Thomson (HUGO BOSS) was nearly 600 miles from Le Cléac’h and third placed Jérémie Beyou was nearly 1,500 miles behind. Right now there eleven solo sailors in less than 500 miles, and the peloton of nine was within 130 miles yesterday.
We, the boat and I, are heading in the right direction again. The sea is short and crossed and horrible, but the sun is shining and it's warm. Right now I am 800 miles due south of Adelaide. Due south of Japan too, a country I lived in for three years. Kojiro/ DMG Mori must have been happy to pass the longitude of his homeland.
The next significant milestone will be the longitude of South East Cape in Tasmania, perhaps later tomorrow.
Compacting In the South Pacific Tunnel To Cape Horn
In the strong, following W’ly wind and with the leading duo electing to stay north slightly – around 50 deg– the top of the fleet have compacted slightly more. Charlie Dalin (Apivia) – who slowed yesterday to consolidate his foil box repairs yesterday – has caught back some 40 miles on Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV) and Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut) has returned more than 120 miles on Bestaven to be 202 nautical miles behind Bestaven.
