Thomas Ruyant, in third place in his more westerly position, is the clear winner in terms of miles this morning as the skipper of LinkedOut is quicker while Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV) and Charlie Dalin (Apivia) have been struggling in lighter airs. But longtime leader Bestaven – who has been top of the rankings since Christmas Day – is on the verge of breaking into a new weather system to his NE which could give the ‘red rooster’ wings and allow him to escape the chasing group still more.
The weather charts show Bestaven about 50-70 miles from the southerly rotation of the low which will send him on his way. About 200 miles from Bestaven, Charlie Dalin is still in gentle airs and took the chance in the calm conditions to climb to the top of Apivia's mast and repair a wind vane, a small win for the skipper of the yellow hulled IMOCA.
And Thomas Ruyant had a smile on his face. "I'm a bit off piste but I'm pretty happy, it's not so bad." Confided the skipper from Dunkirk. Ruyant was making quick progress this morning, at nearly 18 knots, on port tack, so on the side of his good foil, but he is objective: "Even if I don't have much hope of catching up with Yannick. I can come back at Charlie. I'm trying to find a way and get closer to the first two."
The Horn, deliverance!
Clarisse Cremer passed Cape Horn last night at 2218hrs UTC. It is the first time for the 32 year old sailor who has only been in the IMOCA class since 2018 when she was selected to the Banque Popualaire team to be fast tracked to the Vendée Globe. The release at the Horn, moving into the Atlantic was a relief for Cremer who admitted yesterday that she was "fed up" with the erratic and wild conditions of the low pressure which she rode to the Horn. After more than a month in the big South it will be a relieved and happy Cremer on board Banque Populaire in 12th place this morning. Romain Attanasio, should pass the last cape tomorrow evening looks forward to his second rounding: "A calm sea changes everything. You sleep longer and easier, without anxiety. The Southern Ocean is hairy, we are happy to get out of it."
Next to pass the Horn will be Armel Tripon on his black and yellow L’Occitaine this morning Wednesday. The skipper from Nantes is sailing a direct course and should pass the lighthouse quite close, ideal for a first time rounding as it is for Tripon.