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 is set to yield winds gusting in excess of 50kts and bad, confused seas and 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 Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ V) today, as he led the Vendée Globe earlier today.
Yesterday it seemed like there were still two options, but the winner of the 2020-2021 race cautions today “There is no longer a passage via the South.” And that was conclusively confirmed by Christian Dumard, the weather consultant for the race:
“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.”
“There has been a bit of re-start for me, the real Vendée Globe has started and this month of December is about making it all the way to Cape Horn for the first of January.” – BorisHerrmann, MALIZIA – SEAEXPLORER
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