Tuesday, January 28: Final sea battles before the finish line
While Boris Herrmann (Malizia - Seaexplorer, 12th) and Sam Davies (Initiatives-C?ur, 13th) hang on in extreme conditions off Cape Finisterre, they should cross the finish line tomorrow afternoon. Race management is considering activating the "storm line" if the weather deteriorates further. Behind them, the skippers have to go well around the Azores, lengthening their route to avoid complex weather systems. Romain Attanasio (Fortinet - Best Western, 14th) and Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV) are propelled towards the finish by a low-pressure system, which is also accelerating the group led by Giancarlo Pedote (Prysmian, 15th). Further back, Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com, 23rd) continues his solo ascent, widening the gap with his pursuers. At the rear of the fleet, Manuel Cousin (Coup de Pouce, 32nd) is finally enjoying milder temperatures after weeks in the Southern Ocean.

Wednesday, January 29: a final battle under the storm
Extreme weather conditions continue to put Vendée Globe skippers to the test. Boris Herrmann (Malizia - Seaexplorer, 12th) finally completed his second Vendée Globe this Wednesday evening at 23:18, after 80 days, 10 hours and 16 minutes of relentless combat against the elements. In a hellish final stretch, he had to contend with 60-knot winds and 10-meter waves, slowing his progress towards Les Sables d'Olonne. Despite a series of setbacks, including a collision with an OANI damaging his port foil, he showed remarkable composure to cross the finish line with determination.
Behind him, Samantha Davies ( Initiatives-C?ur 13th, continues to progress in the same difficult conditions, while Romain Attanasio ( Fortinet - Best Western (14th) is benefiting from a buoyant front which could help him accelerate his arrival. Further back, a group of eight skippers are engaged in a fierce battle for the last few places in the rankings. At the rear of the fleet, Manuel Cousin ( Coup de Pouce 32nd) and Fabrice Amedeo ( Nexans-Wewise (33rd) have to get through another stormy zone before hoping for a return to milder conditions. This Vendée Globe continues to put sailors to the test, confirming that this race is as much a battle against others as it is a personal confrontation with the elements.

Thursday, January 30: Samantha Davies completes her round-the-world voyage, Arnaud Boissières dismasts off Cape Verde
Samantha Davies (Initiatives-C?ur) crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe this Thursday, January 30 at 11:15 am, completing her fourth circumnavigation in 80 days, 22 hours and 13 minutes. After two retirements in 2012 and 2020, she has at last rediscovered the joys of being a finisher, a personal victory after a course strewn with pitfalls. As resilient and enthusiastic as ever, the Franco-British woman managed a complicated start to the race before breaking into the Top 10 at the Cape of Good Hope. She then battled alongside Clarisse Crémer and Justine Mettraux in the Southern Ocean, before facing the isolation of the Pacific alone. Her return to the Atlantic was marked by a battle with Benjamin Dutreux and Clarisse Crémer, then by Dantesque storms as she approached the French coast, forcing her to slow down before the final sprint.

Arnaud Boissières (La Mie Câline) dismasted this Thursday morning while sailing off Cape Verde, more than 2,500 miles from the finish. Currently in 27th place, the skipper has secured his boat and is continuing his inspection. The man nicknamed Cali was hoping to reach Les Sables d'Olonne on the weekend of February 8-9, as he holds the record for four consecutive Vendée Globe finishes. This new challenge does not call into question his determination, but it does delay his arrival in an edition already marked by numerous challenges.

Friday January 31: between hope and disillusionment as the finish approaches
As dawn breaks on the 81st day of the Vendée Globe, the twenty skippers still at sea continue to face the final challenges of this legendary race. For those approaching Les Sables d'Olonne, the excitement of the finish mingles with the fear of a final twist of fate. Romain Attanasio (Fortinet - Best Western, 14th), now on a direct course to the finish, struggles between impatience and absolute concentration to avoid making any mistakes. Behind him, the battle remains intense, particularly within the group of eight skippers led by Damien Seguin (Groupe APICIL, 15th), where every mile gained is a victory.
But the night was marked by a major blow! Arnaud Boissières (La Mie Câline, 28th) dismasted, putting an abrupt end to his hopes of completing a fifth consecutive Vendée Globe. Deeply affected, the skipper shared his dismay, but also his determination to secure his boat before considering what's next. His incident is a reminder to all sailors still racing of the fragility of this adventure, where any moment can change a competitor's destiny.
With the weather forecast to become more demanding over the next few hours, everyone is navigating between caution and total commitment, pushing back the limits of endurance and possibility.