Record pace for Vendée Globe leaders

(January 2, 2025; Day 54) – As the two Vendée Globe leaders ascend the south Atlantic along Brazil, leader Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) and Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA) have yet to reach the South Easterly trade winds to escalate their flight. But despite their meager pace, computer modelling predicts a record finish on or around January 15.

With just 25 miles between them, that arrival date translates to an elapsed time of about 66 days, which is more than one week faster than the established record set in 2016-14 of 74 days. That would be the second biggest advance of the record since the 12 days jump between the second and third editions.

“What is impressive is the speed at which you can get caught and gain miles,” noted Richomme. “You lose 100 miles during one day and you gain 70 the next day. It is even a little disorientating. You have to stay calm in your head, which is not always easy, I admit.

“If I can just maintain a moderate gap, that is good. With the trade wind, Charlie will lengthen his stride a little. If I can make the transition into the anticyclone (ndlr, the Azores High starting near the Canaries) without too many gaps, that could be great to keep a little suspense for the finish but I am not sure that Charlie will have the same opinion.”

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Attrition:
Nov. 15: Maxime Sorel (FRA), V and B – Monbana – Mayenne – ankle injury, mast damage
Dec. 4: Louis Burton (FRA), Bureau Vallée – rigging failure
Dec. 15: Pip Hare (GBR), Medallia – dismasted
Dec. 16: Szabolcs Weöres (HUN), New Europe – broken D2 shroud
Dec. 30: Yannick Bestaven (FRA), Maître CoQ V – steerage damage

The Vendée Globe, raced in the 60-foot IMOCA, is the elite race round the world, solo, non-stop, and without assistance. On November 10, 40 skippers started the 2024-25 edition which begins and ends in Les Sables d’Olonne, France.

Armel Le Cléac’h, winning in 2017, holds the record for the 24,300 nm course of 74 days 03 hours 35 minutes 46 seconds. Only one sailor has won it twice: Michel Desjoyeaux in 2001 and 2009. This is tenth running of the race.

Source: VG2024, SSN