Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) further increased his lead on Wednesday over Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) at the head of the tenth Vendée Globe, a few days before the final sprint to Les Sables-d’Olonne.
At 7 p.m. (GMT+1), the Norman was 200 miles ahead of his runner-up from the Var while the two men were now pointing their bows towards the Canaries after Cape Verde.
“The temperatures start to drop as I go further north. For now, I’m trying not to think too much about the finish because the race is still long.”Dalin explained to the organizers at midday.
Victory should probably be decided between these two sailors, leaders since Cape Horn and expected on the line between January 14 and 15, because Sébastien Simon, third, was 750 miles from the lead at the start of the evening.
Only this trio has so far crossed the equator, with a very large lead over the rest of the fleet: the fourth, Jérémie Beyou (Charal) is still sailing off the coast of Brazil and in a tight spot with Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) and Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Seaexplorer).
The German skipper also saw two lightning strikes near his sailboat during the day, damaging its electronic systems.
“Those who say that lightning never strikes the same place twice are wrong”he said. “It was one of the craziest days I have ever had at sea, a day I will never forget”.
Much further away, there are still nine of them sailing in the Pacific towards Cape Horn.
Ranking for the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. (GMT+1):
1. Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) 2,165.62 nautical miles from the finish
2. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) 198.32 miles from the first
3. Sébastien Simon (Dubreuil Group) at 747.29 mins
4. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) at 2,282.87 mins
5. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) at 2,285.07 mins
6. Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Seaexplorer) at 2,307.28 mins
7. Thomas Rettant (Vulnerable) at 2,342.85 mins
8. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB) at 2,395.41 mins
9. Justine Mettraux (TeamWork – Team Snef) at 2,412.31 mins
10. Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) at 2,413.02 mins
…
35. Denis Van Weynbergh (D’Ieteren Group) at 8,159.69 mn
Abandons:
. Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V)
. Pip Hare (Medallia)
. Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe)
. Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée)
. Maxime Sorel (V and B – Monbana – Mayenne)
