Speed, tech fails, catch-ups, abandonment and more in Vendée Globe (update 14Dec20)

As if to prove that his slow speeds were indeed down to a prolonged dose of light winds and not any technical problems, Vendée Globe race leader Charlie Dalin lit the afterburners on Apivia yesterday afternoon and enjoyed his fastest spell of his time in the last 1,000 miles of the Indian Ocean, making sustained averages of more than 24 knots. He’s being chased by Thomas Ruyant on LinkedOut, pictured above.

The decisions of the five strong International Jury regarding time compensations for Jean Le Cam, Yannick Bestaven and Boris Herrmann who were all involved in the rescue mission for Kevin Escoffier will be published on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Louis Burton, who a matter of a week ago was in second, 140 miles behind leader Dalin, admitted that his problems were more than just the autopilot issues which he detailed a few days ago. The skipper of Bureau Vallée 2 has revealed that he has damage to his mainsail lock (hook) and to the upper part of his mast track.

The Finnish airline pilot Ari Huusela was the final Vendée Globe competitor to cross the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope, 33 days and 22 hours after the start off Les Sables d’Olonne on Sunday 8th November.

Crossing Good Hope ten and a half hours earlier than Huusela was Jérémie Beyou. The skipper of Charal who restarted again nine days after the original start was pleased to reach one of the targets he had set himself, to be catching up with the back of the fleet by the Cape of Good Hope.

“It is not so much about passing competitors now which finally feels good but more just to have got back in touch with the race, to have made up the miles I was behind (1,250 leaving from Les Sables d’Olonne on November 17), but at least now I am in the same weather system as others and I have people around me as I head into the Big South. I wanted to be here, catching the race by Good Hope and so I have done that and I’m happy.”

On Friday, suffering from a breakdown of his backup computer – his first, main computer failed off Cape Finisterre – Fabrice Amedeo confirmed he will abandon his Vendée Globe in Cape Town.

Hear from skippers around the fleet

Pip Hare rounds up her race so far, as she enters sixth week

“I exist in a bubble, where the date and the month do not matter. I have one job to do, day or night and my world is governed by geography rather than time. I never notice the hours going past in a day; just the jobs being ticked off, the speed of the boat, the rise and fall of the barometer, the change in direction and speed of the wind. It is a world with no frills but full of purpose.

“Every action I take, whether trimming a sail or taking a nap has an impact. I am only out here for one reason and I spend every hour of every day fulfilling that objective. In this way time passes quickly because I am happy and fulfilled.”

Hare is enjoying the Indian Ocean (17.16 13Dec20)

“The weather system’s are not ‘usual’. I’ve seen wildlife I’ve never ever seen before which has been incredible. Hour-glass dolphins stayed with me for ages. I saw my first albatross and words escape me for how amazing these birds are in the flesh. They’re incredible.

“To have completed section one in such good form is really great. What’s happened to some at the front of the fleet makes me super aware of what the weather can throw at us, but I’m feeling good.”

Miranda Merron dedicates Sunday to DIY

Merron took advantage of mild conditions to dedicate her Sunday to DIY – specifically her starboard hydrogenerator.

“[A] weekend of crafts, especially trying to solve the starboard hydro problem.

“For now it’s ‘on hold’ because . . . I’m waiting for more suitable conditions.

“Now we know what the problem is, just need to figure it out. Wish I didn’t have too many [jobs] in the coming days as it’s going to be windy. I turn the engine once a day, and I close everything to warm up the inside as the temperature has dropped.

“I’m also making water with the desalinator while the engine is running. I spent a few days less happy, but I became happy again, good because we lose energy when we’re unhappy. I’m pretty happy all the time on this race.” (08.29 14Dec20)

Listen as Merron checks in with race organisers this morning (05.00 14Dec20)

Sam Davies hopes to be back at sea early this week

After repairs on her boat, Davies is aiming to complete the course. She’s been taking on fresh supplies as Initiatives Coeur has been inspected and repaired.

“Five days after arrival, Initiatives Cœur came out of the water and repairs started. The manoeuvre wasn’t simple, everything is more comfortable at home with our tooling, but neither the crane nor the team have lost patience.

“Its keel was dropped off to allow the repair crew to have access to the whole area. Two experts carefully looked at the boat for several days. Here in Cape Town, it’s the art of small steps, but always in the right direction,” says the team.

Watch yesterday’s round-up from race organisers

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