Please select your home edition
Edition

Vendée Globe Race - Day 28: Plenty of golf to be played on the Southern Ocean

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 7 Dec 15:56 PST 8 December 2024
Stand As One - Altavia during the Vendée Globe sailing race on December 06, 2024 © Eric Bellion

There appears to be a lot to play for in the Southern Ocean casino over the next few days, as the top two boats on the Vendée Globe leaderboard try to cash in on their position.

Pre-race favorite Charlie Dalin opted not to retreat from the advancing storm, the first of the Southern Ocean leg, taking his chances by the Ice Gate and staying just north of Kerguelen Islands.

12hrs ago, if the weather plays his way, Dalin looked to be on the edge of emerging with a 1,000nm lead over third placed Youann Richomme, who opted to sail north and away from the centre of the Low which hit the front runners earlier this week.

Both are now paying the price for their strategies, trying to get around the western corner of the Ice Gate, before being able to head east.

However at the 1800hrs UTC sked Dec 7, Dalin's projected lead calculated by the weather routing function of Predictwind had the race favorites lead cut back to 543nm over Richomme, the lead boat of the northern strategy group.

But four hours later with Dalin just around the corner of the Ice Gate and sailing straight along it in an easterly direction, his projected lead at the end of the 3500nm to the Virtual Waypoint had extended by 140nm. Richomme on the other hand still had to sail a little further south, before turning east.

Had the weather systems played a different hand, Richomme and others that were in his corner, could have dropped down into the flat top of the Ice Gate, and probably not have lost that much - particularly the game played out the way it has with Dalin and the second placed Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) - who was the only competitor to stay with Dakin in a position to the south of the Keugulen Islands - got stuck to the south of the Western and most northern corner of the Ice Gate.

Dalin has rounded the corner of the Ice Gate at the 2200hrs UTC sked and will be heading into fast changing weather systems - as storms build out of Lows and Highs intervene - providing lighter winds for the sailors, and then inflame the wind strength as they grind up against a low, trying to push its way through the Southern Ocean - like a passenger on a crowded platform trying to catch a train.

With that scenario the odds are probably better on the roulette table at a casino. The difficulty for all competitors whether ahead or behind is being able to recover from an error in a course where the fairways, sandtraps and rough are all changing position.

Equally one competitor's misfortune is another's opportunity. And race leader Charlie Dalin is a path finder, highlighting for those following where, and where not to go.

Normally, in the absence of an Ice Gate, trailing competitors would just dive south, hope for lighter winds, keep a good iceberg watch, and make a gain by sailing a shorter distance.

However that is not an option in this edition of the Vendee Globe, and the Ice Gate is a virtual but hard border forcing a game of follow the leader.

Conrad Colman:

Sail-World:

Vendee Globe:

Related Articles

The Johnson 70 Hull No. 2
A custom-built yacht on her way to Canada The owner eagerly anticipates receiving this New Year's gift. This marks the first Johnson yacht to reach Canada, and we look forward to seeing more of our yachts in Canadian waters. Posted on 21 Dec
Meet the Aquila 50 Yacht Power Catamaran
Embark on a new era of sophistication Prepare for an elevated yachting experience with the Aquila 50 Yacht Power Catamaran. Say hello to the future of exploration as we introduce an all-new "Explorer" aesthetic, with a commanding high freeboard that sets it apart from the rest. Posted on 21 Dec
Custom Line 50
The brand's first 50-metre full-aluminium superyacht Custom Line 50, the first 50-metre superyacht built entirely from aluminium, is the new displacement flagship and makes her debut in the metal yachts segment under 500 GT. Posted on 19 Dec
Coupe Power Catamarans
Meet the all-new Aquila 42 and 46 Coupe Who said you can't have it all? Meet the all-new Aquila 42 and 46 Coupe Power Catamarans — quiet sophistication and roaring performance that will open new horizons for travel, exploration and fun! Posted on 17 Dec
"Sober Skipper™ Why It Matters" video series
Featuring a diverse group of boating influencers The Sea Tow Foundation™, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting boating safety, is excited to launch its new video series titled "Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters." Posted on 14 Dec
Oceanco Kairos 80 - Design by Pininfarina
One of the new exterior designs added to Oceanco's Simply Custom collection Delivering an unprecedented variety of choice from a single technical base, owners can now take inspiration from a total of 27 Simply Custom yacht designs penned by top-tier studios from around the world. Posted on 14 Dec
Freedom Boat Club teams up with Savvy Navvy
One of the Club's largest franchise groups in the US loves this navigation app Freedom Boat Club Delaware, part of one of the largest boat club communities in the US, has teamed up with Savvy Navvy to bring easier and safer navigation to more boaters. Here they reflect on how it has helped their boat club members. Posted on 13 Dec
Bennington new M-Series
Bringing an elevated experience to the mid-range pontoon segment Bennington, North America's leading manufacturer of luxury pontoon boats, brings unprecedented luxury and an elevated experience to the mid-range pontoon segment with the launch of the M Series. Posted on 12 Dec
New Extra X106 Fast project
A streamlined look thanks to the superstructure being shifted towards the bow EXTRA Yachts presents the new X106 FAST project, a concentration of power and volume to provide guests with a comfortable experience on board and great performance. Posted on 11 Dec
Heesen's Project Orion
Ready for stellar adventures on the high seas in Spring 2025 Heesen is pleased to announce the launch of YN 20750, code-named Project Orion, at the Oss shipyard on December 6th. This 50-metre all-aluminium hybrid yacht exemplifies Dutch craftmanship, precision engineering and meticulous construction. Posted on 11 Dec
Trinidad and Tobago - Sail Service StayMaritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTER