Vendée Globe leader reports damage to foil
Charlie Dalin, who’s been leading the Vendée Globe since the 23rd November, last night reported damage to his port foil system.
At around 1800hrs UTC, while sailing in the Indian Ocean approximately 900 miles south west of Tasmania, and leading the fleet by 65 miles, Dalin heard a loud noise. Slowing the boat to assess the damage, he discovered damage to his port foil system. Calling his technical team straight away, Dalin did not report any water ingress into Apavia. Dalin is now reviewing the level of damage with his team and looking at repair options.
It remains to be seen what effect the damage he’s sustained will do to Dalin’s position in the race, especially as the race is so close, with eight of the solo skippers crossing the longitude of Cape Leeuwin within 24 hours of Dalin.
As the participants approach the midpoint of the race, the leaders are more than six days behind the race record, but the trailing boats of the fleet are more than a day ahead of the 2016 race pace of the equivalent group.
Hear from skippers around the fleet
Pip Hare is pushing the limit, going faster than ever before
Last night Medallia and Hare achieved their highest ever top speed – 27 knots.
“We put in a 4 hour run with an average pace of over 19 knots. Wow! that was incredible.
“One of the things I love about being a human is our ability to continually develop, to push ourselves to new levels, to develop who we are and what we are capable of throughout our lives, to redefine our own definition of ‘normal’ as we constantly move on to new things.
“One of the things I am loving about this race is the incredible opportunity for all of us, regardless of background, budget or boat, to make our own competition, to perform within our own parameters and certainly for me to learn and improve as I make my way around the world.” (09.14 15Dec20)
Miranda Merron is now ranked 23rd
Now ranked 23th, ahead of Alexia Barrier, and forced to go North, Miranda has seen the two foilers Charal> (Jéréli Beyou) and DMG Mori (Kojiro Shiraishi) pass her at very high speed. The sun is shining on Campagne de France and Miranda is taking advantage of this to tidy the boat away and dry her clothes. (08.19 15Dec20)
Sam Davies is back at sea
After taking time out to assess the damage to Initiatives Coeur and make the necessary repairs, Sam Davies is back on the water and has left Cape Town, determined to complete the course. (20.06 14Dec20)
Watch yesterday’s round-up from race organisers
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