Vendée Globe: it's Richomme back on top

Yoann Richomme is back on top of the Vendée Globe fleet, overhauling long time Charlie Dalin earlier this morning. After leading on December 1st Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) gave up many miles when he elected to sail north out of the track of a big Indian Ocean depression on December 2nd. Four days later he was 540 miles behind Dalin but Richomme’s recovery is complete this morning.

And this race continues to unfold like many thought it would. As they scythe across the Pacific there is less than 50 miles between the top three contenders, Seb Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) doing a remarkable job hanging on with no starboard foil.

Behind them the regrouping promises an utterly engaging second half of the race. There are just 14 miles between Nico Lunven (HOLCIM PRB), Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE) and Jérémie Beyou (Charal) in sixth. And behind them 80 miles between the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe champion Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ V) and Briton Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE). And Germany’s Boris Herrmann (Malizia Seaexplorer) continues a recovery which almost matches Richomme’s as he launches himself back into the top ten, ninth this morning as this group make the most of the fast, windy conditions. 

“Small sails. Reef 3. It is not often that we see that.” Noted Herrmann in a short morning video, “We are so lucky to be just sticking 50-100 miles out in front of the worst where Justine is. It is a bit of a wolf ride but all good on board, the only place to be is the bunk.” 

Tired but happy, I kiss the sea!

Pip and Szabi retire

Meanwhile the news of the night was of the official retirement of Pip Hare (Medallia), victim of a dismasting and who is sailing to Melbourne under jury rigging and that of Szabölcs Weores (New Europe) now approaching Cape Town after his rigging damage. Both leave the course with positive assertions for the future and thousands of words, many from strangers who quietly followed their adventures and share their immense disappointment.

And so there are now 36 of the 40 starters left in the race. Several have just managed to keep their dream alive over recent days, not least is 33rd placed Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier). He made a mainsail track repair in the shelter of the remote Island of Saint-Paul. A few hundred meters from the basalt cliffs topped with lichen he climbed the mast to fix a new rail cut. 

He set off again in the race yesterday afternoon and reported overnight, “ It was very hard up there, my body is chewed up, I hurt everywhere, but here we go again. We spent the night under three reefs and J3, there were 40 knots so well, it was not very very serious… and then this morning I put two reefs and J2. There are 33, 34 knots, and the repair is holding, so it is very good news for the moment, I am rather happy. Tired but happy, I kiss the sea!!"

I feel like we are moving forward on the map and that's incredible!

The youngest sailor in the race Violette Dorange (Devenir, 26th) who, at 23, continues to impress with her drive and her down to earth approach. She has been through her most recent test, forced to dismantle her winch column for seven hours to fix it, 

“ Physically, there are times when my arms hurt everywhere, I am very stiff, but it does not matter, everything is fine. What helps me not to give up is to tell myself that I am incredibly lucky to be here! There are small difficult moments, but it is nothing compared to the fact that I feel so good on my boat. I feel free, I feel in tune with my boat because I am starting to understand it better and better, and it is pure joy to be here!” 

“But now it's better, I'm so happy to soon reach the end of this Indian Ocean which was really not easy for our pack, because we had depression after depression. Now it's going to be a bit calmer in the days to come, and then it's the Pacific, I can't wait. I have all the little messages from my loved ones, they've prepared lots of things for me and when things aren't going well, I look at that, or I reread their words. And otherwise, what helps me not to give up is telling myself that I am incredibly lucky to be here, and a big thought for Pip who has to stop when she was not halfway through her Vendée Globe. When I learned that, I was so sad for her! I tell myself that even if there are difficult moments, I would be so unhappy if my Vendée Globe were to end like that, from one day to the next, so I enjoy every moment. There are some difficult moments, but it's nothing compared to the fact that I feel so good on my boat. I feel free, I feel in tune with my boat because I am starting to understand it better and better, and it's just a great happiness to be here and I feel like we are moving forward on the map and that's incredible!” 

“ And so for the last ten days I have managed to be safe and preserve the boat in good condition before the competition with the other boats. My boat is going well now and I have had some little repairs to do. On Saturday I repaired my pedestal winch over seven hours and so I am proud of myself, it was hard. When it is hard sometimes I need to scream or cry a little to let go of the pressure but most of the time I feel confident in my boat. I am very lucky to sail on this boat which is very, very safe.”