Expansion and compression. Stretching and rebounding. The elastic effect is seen all the way through the Vendée Globe fleet. Mostly it is driven by the evolution and timing of weather systems, especially in the train of low pressures in the Southern Oceans, where the wind comes from the west, from behind for the fleet travelling east.
But equally traversing across a transition zone of light airs, the leading boats will slow first, those still in the wind will catch up until the front runners will escape first into the new breeze.
Ping!
And so usually the elastic effect works in both senses. But sometimes, as in life, it snaps and there is no repair. Since Cape Horn the elastic effect has been evident between the Vendée Globe leaders Yoann Richomme (PAPREC-ARKÉA) and Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance). Between yesterday and this morning leader Richomme saw a 110 miles lead evaporate like snow off a dyke in the hot sun as Dalin returned in better breeze when he slowed crossing the axis of a high pressure zone.
This morning Dalin’s lead was at less than 10 miles but this by the afternoon Richomme is breaking first into the new easterly breeze to the north side of the ridge and is doing double Dalin’s speed.
@VendeeGlobe
#VG2024
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