This evening (French time) Thomas Ruyant, who is lying in second place in the Vendée Globe, has slowed his boat to a near halt after discovering that the front bow compartment of his IMOCA LinkedOut was filling with water.
Shortly before 2100hrs TU he has engaged both his main pumps to drain this usually watertight compartment. The bulkhead doors are closed and so the main living space on the boat is not affected.
As soon as the water is fully evacuated Ruyant will make a complete examination of the boat to make a definitive diagnosis of the problem.
Yannick Bestaven Is Tenth Leader of the Ninth Vendee Globe
Leaders into Pacific shortly and passing race midpoint tonight, Bestaven v Ruyant Drag Race in the 50s, Dalin Repairs and Says ‘I am here and I am back and I have them in my sights.
Yannick Bestaven, skipper of Maître Coq IV took the lead of the Vendée Globe early this morning. And though the 47 year old from La Rochelle who is sailing a 2015 launched boat has threatened the lead before sailing an accomplished, express passage on his first time across the Indian Ocean, ‘Besta’ today becomes the 10th different leader on the 20th lead change on this remarkable Vendée Globe since the start in Les Sables d’Olonne back on Sunday 8th November.
Time Compensations To Skippers Involved In the Rescue of Kevin Escoffier
The International Jury of the 2020 Vendée Globe have published their decisions for time compensations awarded to three of the four skippers who were involved in the rescue operation for Kevin Escoffier during the period late afternoon and overnight Monday, November 30 when the skipper had to abandon his boat some 850 miles SW of Cape Town.
We have been going to the north-east to try and avoid a large area of lighter airs and (for me, anyway), try to pass north of the main part of a depression which is forming (cyclogenesis?) which is set to give 30+ knots.
