Doldrums, tech issues, and chasing (Vendée Globe update 19Jan21)

At the head of the fleet now Charlie Dalin (Apivia) has been in first place 178 times since November 8th when the race started. Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée 2) has been in first twice, and one of those times was on start day after he jumped the start gun. Estimates suggest that the race will be won in around ten days from now.

Louis Burton says he is in attacking mode.

“There’s a lot of strategic choices to make, negotiating the entry into the depression, having to pass the oceanic ridge, arriving in the Bay of Biscay, with boats that all have their advantages and disadvantages. So I’m really trying to make the most of all the advantages I have on board, and to look ahead to and plan for moments where it won’t be so simple. I have a boat that is well equipped to help me to get through all of that nicely. We’re going fast at the moment, on reaching, I have my foils.”

Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV) is suffering from technical problems.

“I no longer have an intact boat and I have a lot of technical problems. When I rounded Cape Horn, I caught a big depression. I crashed violently which ravaged the whole front deck of the boat. I no longer have a pulpit, no furling system and there are some sails that I can no longer use. I tried to repair as best I could, to keep holding on, but I need a lot of sail changes and small weather sails that I couldn’t use. All this added to the difficulty of crossing the Doldrums. But I’ll try to finish in the best possible way.”

Benjamin Dutreux is frustrated in the Doldrums.

“It was very hot before I got into the Doldrums but since then it’s been much nicer and the rain rinsed the boat (which needed it) and I was able to take a shower. Physically and morally, I’m starting to get a little frazzled because these Doldrums have lasted a really long time. When I think of all those who have told me that coming up from the south is easier. Here we have had something really tough and I can’t wait to see the end.

“The big problem is the weed. It is everywhere and I spend my time trying to remove it from the hydro generator. I can see it better during the day, but it’s really a big problem: maybe I crossed an area where there are a lot of it but this is impressive. I’m worried about my hydro generator because my engine is not in a good way and so the weed bothers me because my power now comes mainly from the hydros.”

Clément Giraud (pictured above) is trying to catch Miranda Merron.

“There’s quite a lot of current around here, between Cape Horn and the Falklands. I got stuck in the centre of a depression. And then I saw a big fishing boat, and I was able to chat in English with the captain, it was very nice. Back to civilisation.

“I fell into some calm conditions. This allowed me to clean the boat and I’m trying to get my boat moving again. My goal is to reach Les Sables d’Olonne, but if I can overtake Miranda (Merron), I will!

“I repaired my gennaker but the light fabric is really damaged. I’ll have to take out my big gennaker that I didn’t want to use in the South. My rudders are cracking a bit more, but it looks OK.”

Hear from skippers around the fleet

Pip Hare is more relaxed

“The ocean is an amazing place, and if you wait everything is ok.”

(08.33 19Jan21)

Miranda Merron has passed the Falklands

Merron has completed her bypass of the Falklands archipelago. She say’s she’s going to experience a relatively peaceful day of navigating in a medium-sized southwest wind.

She’s looking forward to removing her outer layers within 48 hours.

Watch yesterday’s round-up of all the action

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