What logically can be considered the Vendée Globe title duel between Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance, 1st) and Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKEA, 2nd) continues unabated in the trade winds. The two rivals are heading north towards the infamous Azores high pressure system, which they should reach within 48 hours, a substantial area of light winds which really forms the last big weather obstacle standing between them and the Bay of Biscay and the finish line off Les Sables d’Olonne.
Behind them, Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil, 3rd) crossed the equator this morning. Off the coast of Brazil, the main big group of pursuers are battling and to the far south, Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur – DUO for a JOB, 20th) has rounded Cape Horn. For him and the group behind him the challenge is to set up early and well for a nasty depression which will sweep across the Andes into the South Atlantic on Thursday.
In the start-finish host town of Les Sables d’Olonne on the west coast of France the atmosphere has ramped up in recent days. Technical teams are busy setting up big structures for the race village and even in the mainstream French medal, the story and the progress of the leading duo is endlessly dissected.
And so with the leaders arrival approaching, now about a week off, the building of Vendée Globe village is in full swing. And Dalin and Richomme their routing updates are now right to the finish line. Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) and Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) are separated by 130 miles on the 1400hrs UTC ranking today.
“They are still in the trade winds, the wind will gradually strengthen until the ridge of high pressure on Thursday”, explains Christian Dumard, the Vendée Globe weather consultant.
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