Still racing upwind but having changed on to the ‘making’ port tack – the angle taking them closer to the mark than away from it – Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV) is back in the lead but only by a small handful of miles over Charlie Dalin (Apivia).
Pip Hare writes this morning, "I have officially passed half way! Based on the rhum line course around the world, in the early hours of this morning I reached the half way mark. People! I am coming home.
I was asleep when I sloped past half way mark and yesterday was such a busy, happy day I didn't feel the need to celebrate. I have some treats lined up to mark this occasion all this is on the back burner because there is serious work to be done over the next three days and I am totally focused on putting my best efforts into sailing Medallia well. This feels important
Charlie Dalin (Apivia) goes on the record as the Christmas Number 1 on the Vendée Globe rankings after being granted a narrow lead today while nearest rival Yannick Bestaven climbs north on Maître Coq IV in search of a fast sleigh ride east.
Happy Christmas! A gorgeous day just north of the forbidden zone which stretches for another 480 miles due east. The wind is very unstable in direction and strength. A few minutes ago there were 19 knots, and now there are 11. But it doesn't matter. Patience. In a few hours there will be more than enough. Cape Leeuwin tomorrow? That will certainly be a milestone.
