Vendée Globe Update: Tightening Race as Leaders Approach Cape of Good Hope
As of Friday, November 29, 2024, the Vendée Globe race is heating up with Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) maintaining his lead but facing increasing pressure from Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable). The gap has narrowed significantly, with Ruyant now only 13.14 miles behind Dalin. This shift in standings comes as the skippers near the Cape of Good Hope, a critical point in the race that leads into the Indian Ocean.
Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) has moved into third place, trailing Dalin by 29.34 miles, while Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) follows closely behind in fourth, 35.92 miles off the lead. The top four skippers have managed to widen their lead over the rest of the fleet, with Nicolas Lunven (Holcim - PRB) now 159.14 miles behind the leader.
Dalin's speed has slowed to 18.78 knots per hour, compared to Simon's impressive 23.38 knots, raising concerns about his ability to maintain his position as the race progresses. All skippers are now sailing in the southern hemisphere, with the last competitor, Szabolcs Weöres (New Europe), having crossed the Equator recently.
Sébastien Simon expressed optimism about the conditions, stating, "Everything is fine on board... these are really easy conditions and it feels great." He looks forward to entering the Indian Ocean, which he believes will provide favorable sailing conditions as they head towards Australia.
Current Standings and Future Outlook
As of the latest rankings, the top positions are as follows: 1. Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) - 17,575.56 nautical miles from the finish 2. Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) - 13.14 miles behind 3. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) - 29.34 miles behind 4. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) - 35.92 miles behind 5. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim - PRB) - 159.14 miles behind 6. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) - 162.04 miles behind 7. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) - 221.68 miles behind 8. Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V) - 347.01 miles behind 9. Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) - 420.87 miles behind 10. Samantha Davies (Initiatives-Coeur) - 682.34 miles behind
Notably, Maxime Sorel (V and B-Monbana-Mayenne) has abandoned the race. As the leaders approach the Cape of Good Hope, the competition is expected to intensify, with the top six skippers poised to pass this significant landmark shortly. The Vendée Globe continues to showcase the challenges and excitement of solo sailing around the world.
