december 31: battles at sea and solo New Year's Eve
On this last day of 2024, Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) has retaken the lead from Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea) in the light, shifty winds off Cabo Frio, Brazil. With a twenty-mile lead in the morning, the new leader remains cautious in view of the volatility of the gaps in these complex conditions. Behind them, Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil, 3rd) continues his steady ascent, while remaining lucid about the differences in navigation within the fleet.
Further south, in sustained winds of around 25 knots, Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) leads a tight group above the Falklands. The battle is intense, with minimal gaps: just 23 miles separate Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable, 6th) from Justine Mettraux (Teamwork âeuros Team Snef, 10th). Further back, Clarisse Crémer (L'Occitane en Provence, 11th) and Benjamin Dutreux (Guyot Environnement âeuros Water Family, 12th) are approaching the tip of South America, while Samantha Davies (Initiatives-CÅur, 13th) is hoping to take advantage of a calm zone to catch up.
Off the Pacific, the central pack, including Sébastien Marsset (Foussier, 22nd), is enjoying the camaraderie at sea despite the isolation, while other competitors further out, such as Denis Van Weynbergh (D'Ieteren Group, 35th), are making headway under Tasmania towards the Pacific. Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ V), forced to retire after technical problems, has arrived in Ushuaïa for repairs.
Although far from traditional festivities, this New Year's Eve on the oceans is marked by unique moments. Some skippers find time for a toast or a message to loved ones, while others concentrate on the maneuvers needed to maintain their position. A day that illustrates the intensity of this extraordinary race, between moments of reflection and constant technical challenges.
january 1st: weather chaos and skippers' resilience
After several days of grueling sailing, Vendée Globe leaders Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) and Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) have finally managed to extricate themselves from the persistent cold front off Cape Frio, Brazil.
This area, renowned for its unstable weather conditions, put the skippers' tactical skills to the test, with unpredictable winds and sudden squalls.
Further south, Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil, 3rd) continues to sail within a leading trio where every mile gained is the fruit of a fierce tactical battle. Off the Falkland Islands, Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) leads a tight group, with Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) and Justine Mettraux (Teamwork âeuros TEAM SNEF) in his wake. The close proximity of the competitors, with less than 25 nautical miles between them, testifies to the intensity of this part of the race. In more southerly latitudes, Clarisse Crémer (L'Occitane en Provence) and Benjamin Dutreux (Guyot Environnement âeuros Water Family), approaching Cape Horn, are still sailing under the effects of a severe low-pressure system, with gusts exceeding 30 knots. For her part, Samantha Davies (Initiatives-CÅur) is hoping to make up lost ground thanks to an expected lull, enabling her to regain ground on this group.
Immersed in the South Pacific, the middle pack, which includes Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur âeuros Duo For a Job, 20th) and Sébastien Marsset (Foussier, 22nd), is sailing in challenging conditions, but remains galvanized by the camaraderie and spirit of this adventure. Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG Mori Global One, 27th) shared his joy at being part of this group, where solidarity is felt even when sailing solo.
At the rear of the fleet, Denis Van Weynbergh (D'Ieteren Group, 35th) is making headway under Tasmania, aiming to reach the Pacific soon.
january 2: Watch out for icebergs!
The skippers are juggling unpredictable weather conditions and formidable obstacles. At the head of the fleet, Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) and Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea) continue their strategic duel in the trade winds of the southern hemisphere, with each tack crucial to their progress towards the equator. Their intense battle illustrates the delicate balance between daring and anticipation in this race.
In the Pacific, another challenge awaits the skippers: the presence of icebergs outside the Antarctic Exclusion Zone (AEZ). Sébastien Marsset (Foussier, 22nd) was the first to report an iceberg, triggering a generalized alert. Maneuvering at high speed to avoid it, he underlined the constant threat posed by these blocks of ice, invisible at night and difficult to spot on radar. Others, like Ãric Bellion (Stand As One âeuros Altavia) and Conrad Colman (MS Amlin), also came across these behemoths, each redoubling their vigilance to sail safely.
