Racing in 25 knots of wind at 53 degrees south, life is distinctly chilly for Thomas Ruyant and Yannick Bestaven, the top two Vendée Globe skippers who are less than ten miles apart. They both gybed early this morning and are heading fully east running parallel to the exclusion barrier, for the Pacific where they are hoping the sea state will be easier and more conducive to higher average speeds than the Indian Ocean has been.
Last days in the Indian Ocean, Five boats race in sight on each other in regatta mode
Dalin back in race mode, J2 repairs are top of the Job List
Having been slowed since around 1800hrs UTC yesterday evening to evaluate and then today to make some kind of repair to his port side foil system of APIVIA, Charlie Dalin has dropped to third and lost over 120 miles to his two nearest rivals Thomas Ruyant and Yannick Bestaven.
But Dalin, Vendée Globe leader for 23 days up until last night, appears to be back in race mode this afternoon, making over 14kts south eastwards towards the south Pacific Ocean.
Guest of the day : Sydney Gavignet
Charlie Dalin's team reported this morning that they have been working on a repair idea, their statement says, "Since 1800hrs UTC yesterday, Charlie Dalin’s race has been on hold, while he inspects his Imoca, APIVIA. After hearing a loud noise, the boat that was leading the fleet slowed right down. He carried out an appraisal during the night and saw that the port foil was damaged, but that there was no ingress of water.
Yannick Bestaven / Maître CoQ
The skipper of Maître CoQ was reached this morning at 5am having just come back from a climb to the top of his mast to repair a tear on his J2. He is a happy man having achieved a small victory!
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