Yannick Bestaven is now leading the Vendée Globe

Yannick Bestaven had already taken a lead when fate dealt Thomas Ruyant a terrible blow last night. At around 9pm the LinkedOut skipper felt his boat “going to the heap”, nose diving into the waves uncontrollably.

Thomas soon realised all was not well at the bow of his boat. Slowing almost to a stop, he found the front bow compartment had completely filled with water. Fearing the worst, he activated his two onboard pumps to drain this usually watertight compartment.

Shortly after midnight, Ruyant announced to his shore team that he would be able to resume his journey carefully, under mainsail and J3, while continuing to dry out the front compartments. Several hours later, he was able to make an initial diagnosis: “The two front hatch latches opened under the effect of the waves. I was then going at over 25 knots. The boat filled up in 30 minutes while I was asleep. I really believed history repeating itself,” he says.

At almost the same point in the race, on 18 December 2016, between Tasmania and New Zealand, his previous IMOCA, Le Souffle du Nord for The Imagine Project, literally disintegrated, ending his 2016 Vendée Globe.

As Ruyant makes his entry into the Pacific this morning, LinkedOut is over 130 miles behind Yannick Bestaven, but still racing.


Reunion in the Southern Ocean

Whilst the leaders continue to joust for pole position,  Boris Herrmann, Damien Seguin, Louis Burton, Jean Le Cam and Benjamin Dutreux are all within sight of each other, just a few nautical miles apart. (15.32 15Dec20)


Hear from the skippers around the fleet


Pip Hare says ‘days of complaining about no wind are over’

“We are ready,” says Hare as she prepares for the first big pressure system in the Southern Ocean. “I’ve got a little check list going on and I’ll just slowly work through making sure we’re shipshape and Bristol fashion for a big Southen Ocean kicking.” (16.36 16Dec20)


Miranda Merron has gained on Alexia Barrier

In the middle of the Indian Ocean today, Miranda Merron will transit between two southern depressions. Having travelled 346 miles yesterday, she has gained 70 miles on Alexia Barrier who was ahead of her earlier this week. Presently experiencing 5m swells which are slowing the boats progress, it is hoped that things will calm tomorrow when Merron crosses to the north of the Kerguelen archipelago, once called ‘Isles of Desolation’. (07.55 17Dec20)


Sam Davies needs encouragement

It can’t be easy being alone at sea, miles behind all the other competitors. And with Christmas almost here, Sam Davies is needing some encouragement. (21.00 16Dec20)


Watch yesterday’s round-up from race organisers

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