Tuesday November 26, incredible average speeds and a lowered ZEA
On November 26, 2024, the Vendée Globe leaders maintained a steady pace, covering more than 500 nautical miles a day thanks to a favorable low-pressure system. This frenetic pace enabled a group of nine skippers, led by Charlie Dalin on MACIF Santé Prévoyance, to open up a significant gap with the rest of the fleet. This separation is set to increase as they approach the Cape of Good Hope.
Race management has lowered the Antarctic Exclusion Zone by almost 100 miles to the Crozet Archipelago, offering competitors a more direct route and the opportunity to exploit the southern lows circulating further south. Skippers now have to deal with strong winds and heavy seas, while maintaining high speeds to stay within the low-pressure system and avoid the St. Helena High. This strategic situation could turn the current small break into a major fracture within the fleet.
Wednesday, November 27, another distance record!
On November 27, 2024, the Vendée Globe was marked by an exceptional performance by Sébastien Simon, skipper of Dubreuil Group who set a new single-handed monohull record by covering 614.25 nautical miles in 24 hours, averaging 25.59 knots. This feat was made possible by ideal weather conditions: moderate seas and constant winds of 24-26 knots, enabling the skippers to maintain high speeds (over 30 knots) in complete safety.
The leading group of six sailors is benefiting from a powerful 30-knot air flow, which is set to continue until the following morning, giving them the opportunity to reach Cape Frio and the Cape of Good Hope on a single tack. This strategic situation is crucial, as it could enable the leaders to open up a significant gap to the rest of the fleet. However, the skippers must remain vigilant to avoid confusing speed with haste, maintaining a steady pace while preserving their equipment to go the distance on this demanding race.
At the rear of the fleet, conditions are really different for the pack, which is moving in single file, or almost, 800 miles off the Brazilian coast, somewhere between Maceió and Vitória.
Thursday November 28, time for cooler latitudes...
On November 28, 2024, the first fifteen Vendée Globe skippers left warm waters for cooler latitudes, while maintaining impressive speeds. Sébastien Simon, aboard Groupe Dubreuil, recently overtook Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) to take second place, closing the gap on leader Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance).
This performance underlines the dominance of foil-equipped boats, capable of maintaining averages in excess of 22 knots. Romain Attanasio (Fortinet-Best Western), in 15? position, recognizes the difficulty for straight daggerboard monohulls to compete with these high speeds. The skippers must now manage the transition to colder conditions, while maintaining their concentration and preserving their equipment for the rest of the race.
