Friday, December 6, the law of the deep south
Skippers tackle the Southern Ocean with formidable intensity. The storm in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) put the boats and the sailors' nerves to the test. Powerful winds and rough seas caused a number of breakdowns, forcing some to improvise repairs on the high seas.
At the same time, strategic choices were varied: some sailors, like Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) or Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), opted for a more risky southerly route, but one that offered a potential gain in speed, while others, like Thomas Ruyant (Vulnérable, 4th) or Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea, 3rd), preferred to secure their trajectory by staying further north. The fleet gradually dispersed, drawing different options on the map.
In the group led by Justine Mettraux (Teamwork - Team Snef, 10th), Clarisse Crémer (L'Occitane en Provence, 11th) suffered damage to her foil jack support. For the bottom group, the route was tough as they rounded the tip of South Africa, with gusts to 47 knots.
Saturday, December 7, in the sunshine, not exactly
On December 7, 2024, the Vendée Globe skippers faced a day marked by particularly testing conditions in the Indian Ocean. Sailing close to the Antarctic Exclusion Zone (AEZ), they had to juggle successive lows, powerful winds in excess of 30 knots, and waves sometimes reaching seven meters in height.
Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) illustrates the intensity of the day: he carried out no less than seven gybes in one night, demonstrating impressive endurance and technical mastery. The skippers were compared to "beavers on steroids", as their maneuvers demanded speed, precision and energy, despite the icy humidity on board.
The difficult weather conditions, with temperatures close to 2°C and rough seas, put the sailors and their equipment to the test. Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier) shared his experience of the constant humidity in the boat, making daily life even more grueling. Ãric Bellion (Stand as One âeuros Altavia), sailing south of South Africa, described the sea as â??short and chaoticâ?, complicating every strategic decision.
Faced with these challenges, the skippers had to choose between opposing trajectories. Some, like Isabelle Joschke (MACSF), opted for a more northerly position to avoid the harshest conditions, at the cost of lengthening their route. Others, like Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ V), opted for more aggressive southerly trajectories, flirting with the AZE to benefit from downwind conditions.
Sunday December 8, when the ocean dictates its law
December 8 was a day of contrasting events in the Indian Ocean, where Vendée Globe skippers continue to deal with demanding conditions. Between technical breakdowns and implicit collective strategies, this day revealed both the harshness of the race and the mutual support between sailors.
Sébastien Simon, aboard Groupe Dubreuil, suffered significant damage when his starboard foil broke. The incident occurred while he was in second place in the fleet. The failure, which occurred when he woke up from a rough start, was a major blow for the skipper, who had reduced his speed to preserve his equipment. He estimates a 30% loss of performance on port tack, but remains confident of continuing the race thanks to an intact foil on the other side.
In the rest of the fleet, sailors continue to adapt to a variety of weather systems. Sam Davies (Initiatives-CÅur), who has regained his place in a strategic group alongside Justine Mettraux (TeamWork âeuros Groupe Snef) and Clarisse Crémer (L'Occitane en Provence), achieved a notable performance with almost 485 miles covered in 24 hours, the best speed in the fleet over this period.
The English sailor aims to stay ahead of a low-pressure system that could trap those behind. This strategy allows her to take advantage of a favorable wind to sail along the AZE while avoiding the calms. In these hostile regions, the proximity of other skippers reinforces an implicit sense of solidarity, a "team spirit" in the face of natural elements.
Monday, December 9, the Indian and his whims
December 9, 2024 was another demonstration of the complexity of the Indian Ocean for Vendée Globe skippers. Between the strategic opportunities seized by some and the challenges imposed by capricious weather, the day highlighted the endurance and ingenuity of the sailors in extreme conditions.
The day was marked by a rapid succession of low-pressure systems in the Indian Ocean, likened to a "meteorological fashion week". These disturbances forced the skippers to sail at the limits of their capacities, juggling between violent winds and heavy seas. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) suffered particularly badly, relegated 820 nautical miles behind the leader Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) after battling average winds of 45 knots and seas described as "boat-breaking".
Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur âeuros Duo for a job), at the official radio session, described this navigation as a game of "Pac-Man", where the skippers have to escape the lows while trying to stay on course.
Charlie Dalin continues to lead the race and crossed the longitude of Cape Leeuwin at 15h12, consolidating his status as leader. However, Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea) and Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) are closing in, gaining nearly 200 nautical miles on the skipper of Macif Santé Prévoyance in 24 hours. A remarkable performance which testifies to their bold strategy to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the weather, despite the risks.
This dynamic should change, however, as Charlie Dalin is expected to benefit from a favourable strategic window the following day, which could enable him to regain his lead.
For newcomers like Violette Dorange (Devenir) and Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare), the learning curve remains intense. Having recently faced 50-knot winds, these skippers are adjusting their strategies to avoid the toughest conditions, while optimizing their progress. These young sailors demonstrate a great capacity for adaptation, essential in this demanding event.
