(December 2, 2024; Day 23) – Sometimes the fastest, most efficient route between two points on the Vendée Globe course is not the shortest, most direct course. Usually it is, but occasionally something big and brutal blocks the way and prudent, avoiding action is needed and that often means sailing more miles.
Such is the case for the leaders on the tenth edition of the solo non-stop round the world race. Now well into the Indian Ocean, a big depression Wednesday-Thursday (Dec. 4-5) is set to yield winds gusting in excess of 50 knots with bad, confused seas so avoiding action seems to the be the best option.
“It’s all a bit complicated. Our goal is to position ourselves as best we can to take this depression that is coming downwind at us and to put ourselves in winds which are negotiable,” explained reigning Vendée Globe champion Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ V).
Christian Dumard, the weather consultant for the race, notes how the options are limited: “All the solo sailors will logically pass to the north of the system. To go lower in latitude, they would suffer in the system for much longer, but also with more wind and more seas and would find themselves upwind at some point.”
The longer route to the north is far from ideal but it keeps them safe from gusts of 65 knots and ten-meter waves, though it will extend their course by up to 500 miles, going north of the Kerguelen archipelago. But the leading trio – Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance), Yoann Richomme (PAPREC-ARKEA), Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) – don’t seem to have a lot of options as it widens along the easterly track.
Behind them, Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE), Jérémie Beyou (Charal), Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB), Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE), and Bestaven still have the choice to slant north. “We will still get 40-45 knots, which is strong but ultimately a bit like usual strong stuff in the south,” summarized Bestaven, noting how preparation is underway for the conditions.
Race updates – Tracker – Ranking – Facebook
Attrition:
Nov. 15: Maxime Sorel (FRA), V and B – Monbana – Mayenne – ankle injury, mast damage
The Vendée Globe, raced in the 60-foot IMOCA, is the elite race round the world, solo, non-stop, and without assistance. On November 10, 40 skippers started the 2024-25 edition which begins and ends in Les Sables d’Olonne, France.
Armel Le Cléac’h, winning in 2017, holds the record for the 24,300 nm course of 74 days 03 hours 35 minutes 46 seconds. Only one sailor has won it twice: Michel Desjoyeaux in 2001 and 2009. This is tenth running of the race.
Source: VG2024, SSN -https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2024/12/02/big-depression-to-hit-vendee-globe/
