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Tuesday, January 21: Final miles under high tension
As the end of the Vendée Globe approaches, the skippers have to contend with unpredictable weather and boats that have been weakened by more than two months of sailing. Between rough lows, light winds and technical breakdowns, this final phase of the race is testing their patience and endurance to the limit.
In the leading group, Jérémie Beyou (Charal) and his rivals are hugging the Portuguese coast, trying to avoid the traps of a ridge of high pressure at Cape Finisterre, while keeping an eye on a new low pressure system approaching. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable), victim of a ripped mainsail, is trying to maintain his position against Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) and Nicolas Lunven (Holcim âeuros PRB), who are also dealing with rigging damage. Despite the sometimes extreme conditions, the sailors remain focused on their ultimate goal: reaching Les Sables-d'Olonne, even if it means sacrificing speed to save their steeds.
Behind them, the battle continues in the Doldrums, where Alan Roura (Hublot) and Jean Le Cam are trying a strategy further east to take advantage of the trade winds. Meanwhile, Benjamin Dutreux (Guyot Environnement âeuros Water Family) is battling it out with Clarisse Crémer (Banque Populaire), in a fierce confrontation where every mile gained is a victory over the opponent and the elements.
The capricious wind and uncertain weather models make any projection hazardous, with ETAs constantly fluctuating. For Paul Meilhat and many others, caution remains the order of the day in the face of unpredictable cross seas. Each skipper must juggle repairs and navigation, hoping to cross the finish line before another storm reshuffles the cards one last time.
Wednesday, January 22 : The finish, a line constantly being pushed back
As the finish line of the Vendée Globe draws ever closer, the skippers are faced with a frustrating reality: every mile covered reveals new obstacles, constantly pushing back their ETA. Between doldrums, unexpected gales and accumulated fatigue, the end of the race resembles a never-ending climb, where each advance is followed by a new challenge.
In the leading group, Jérémie Beyou (Charal) and Boris Herrmann (Malizia âeuros Seaexplorer) are battling capricious winds off Cape Finisterre, sailing carefully to avoid being trapped in the calms and to anticipate a final fearsome depression. Meanwhile, Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) is racing against the clock to repair his mainsail, hoping to maintain an efficient course despite the technical constraints.
Clarisse Crémer (L'Occitane en Provence) talks about the psychological difficulty of this interminable wait, between impatience and dealing with unforeseen weather conditions. She talks about the complexity of staying focused without prematurely projecting oneself onto the finish line, while juggling the constant uncertainty.
Further south, Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare) and Jean Le Cam (Tout Commence en Finistère âeuros Armor-lux) continue their strategic duel, taking advantage of an exit from the Doldrums to hope to move up the rankings. With the weather still uncertain and routing constantly under review, they need to fine-tune every maneuver to ensure they don't let their rivals slip away.
For all, this final stretch is the ultimate test of endurance and resilience. As skippers draw on their physical and mental resources, the prospect of making landfall becomes both a driving force and a test. The coveted finish line remains a moving frontier, requiring constant vigilance and tenacity on the part of the sailors.
Thursday, January 23 : Final miles under strain, Les Sables in turmoil
As the end of the Vendée Globe approaches for a large part of the fleet, excitement is building in Les Sables-d'Olonne, ready to welcome a wave of night-time and daytime arrivals in a supercharged atmosphere. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) is expected to arrive during the night, kicking off a series of returns that will continue throughout the weekend. The quayside, already white-hot with the arrival of the first skippers, promises once again an exceptional fervor to celebrate these heroes of the seas.
On the water, however, the party is still a long way off. The final stretch in the Bay of Biscay is proving to be testing, with capricious weather and unstable winds testing the sailors' concentration and tenacity right to the end. Jérémie Beyou has to deal with successive gybes and changing conditions, making every decision crucial. Behind him, Paul Meilhat (Biotherm), Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB) and Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) are trying to close the gap in this fierce battle, where the slightest mistake can be fatal.
Meanwhile, Sam Davies (Initiatives-CÅur) and Boris Herrmann (Malizia âeuros Seaexplorer) have to contend with a severe depression that threatens to slow their progress and forces them to adjust their strategy to avoid the worst.
At the rear of the fleet, Denis Van Weynbergh (D'Ieteren Group) rounded Cape Horn, marking the entry of all competitors into the North Atlantic. Despite this symbolic passage, the road ahead remains full of pitfalls, and each skipper still has to draw on his last reserves to reach the finish.
While the tension is at its height at sea, Les Sables-d'Olonne is about to vibrate once again to the rhythm of the finish, offering a striking contrast between the effervescence of the quays and the extreme concentration required at sea. The final sprint is on, and until the last mile, anything is possible.
