Vendée Globe 2024: Thomas Ruyant Takes the Lead After Doldrums
In a dramatic turn of events during the Vendée Globe 2024, Thomas Ruyant has emerged as the frontrunner after successfully navigating the Doldrums, an area notorious for its unpredictable weather patterns. As of Thursday morning, November 21, Ruyant, sailing on the boat 'Vulnerable', recorded a significant speed of 16.9 knots, overtaking his competitors and securing the top position at the 7 am checkpoint. This marks the first time Ruyant has led the race, having briefly dropped to 11th place the previous evening.
His closest rival, Sam Goodchild, who had been leading the race, now trails Ruyant by just 6.52 miles. Goodchild's performance has also been commendable, maintaining a steady pace despite the challenging conditions. Race management noted that Ruyant's strategic navigation through a less complex passage allowed him to capitalize on the situation, showcasing the importance of tactical decision-making in sailing.
The Doldrums, characterized by light winds and sudden squalls, posed a significant challenge to the fleet, causing major shifts in rankings. Jean Le Cam, who was leading earlier in the week, has seen a dramatic fall to 18th place. The unpredictable nature of this section of the race has been a source of frustration for many skippers, as highlighted by Paul Meilhat, who described the conditions as a mix of torrential rain and variable winds.
Current Rankings of the Vendée Globe 2024
As of the latest updates, the top ten skippers in the Vendée Globe are as follows: 1. Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) - 21502.66 nautical miles from the finish 2. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) - 6.52 miles behind 3. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) - 23.98 miles behind 4. Nicolas Lunven (Holcim - PRB) - 30.70 miles behind 5. Justine Mettraux (Teamwork-Team Snef) - 35.06 miles behind 6. Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) - 36.01 miles behind 7. Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V) - 37.46 miles behind 8. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) - 41.92 miles behind 9. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) - 43.23 miles behind 10. Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) - 48.17 miles behind.
The race continues to unfold, with skippers now looking ahead to the next phases as they navigate the complexities of the ocean. The Vendée Globe remains a test of endurance, skill, and strategy, with the potential for further surprises as the competition progresses.
