Vendee Globe 2008/09

21.12.2008

After the dramas of the previous few days
it’s been back to business as usual for many of the 18 reindexing skippers in the Vendée Globe fleet.Eléments associésSkippersSamantha Davies

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) is holding on to his lead, steady at around 65 miles over second-placed Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environment), but extending slightly away from the rest of those hanging on to his coat tails as the leading four pick up some more northerly pressure. Jean Le Cam in fourth (VM Matériaux) is valiantly keeping up the pace – clocking over 404 miles over the racecourse over the past 24 hours.

Foto: Vincent Curuchet/DPPI

However, the gap between the front-runners and the chasing pack is more than simply mileage — around 410 miles back to Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) in fifth, or around 1,490 miles to Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) in 10th. It also represents a psychological gulf — those clinging on to Mich Desj’s blistering pace have every reason to push as hard as they can, whilst others may be seeing another 12,000 miles to sail in order to complete the course, and preferring to take a few more conservative options. That’s not to say they won’t still be competitive — after Cape Horn, there is still a third of the route left and keeping the boat in good condition could yet make all the difference with an upwind leg across the South Atlantic. There is currently further reason for caution for Raphaël Dinelli, Norbert Sedlacek and to a lesser extent, Derek Hatfield — a deep low-pressure area is developing to the west of the Kerguelens, with winds forecast to reach force 9-10 tonight, and likely to stop these competitors from heading south.

Sam Davies (Roxy) has made a fine return to full race mode, moving past Marc Guillemot (Safran) on this morning’s rankings to take eighth place. Sam wrote last night: “I have realised that I passed Cape Leeuwin - without noticing! So, two Capes down, the big one to go - Cape Horn!” The next duo to pass Cape Leeuwin will be Dee Caffari (Aviva), who is still having a close battle with Arnaud Boissieres (Akena Vérandas). Of the retired skippers, Dominique Wavre (SUI) on Temenos 2 has met up with the dismasted Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) on their way to Fremantle. Also on his way to the Australian coast, Mike Golding (Ecover) is due to be supplied with fuel by HMAS Arunta. Mike is currently 420 miles south of Cape Leeuwin. Meanwhile onboard the Australian frigate Yann Elies is reported to be recovering his strength and will be operated on in Perth.