Heading into the southern ocean: Vendee Globe

After Jean-Pierre Dick gybed West and South more than a week ago, Francois Gabart followed to cover the two-time Barcelona World Race champ, setting up the split-fleet scenario that we discussed in the last article. Gaining more than 400 miles in north-south separation, the lead pack has again regrouped, now tighter than ever with the three French skippers exchanging the lead multiple times in the past 24 hours, as of this writing. With the two lead packs all sailing on a starboard tack, Cleac’h sailed slightly hotter to make a bit more southing, effectively bringing him, JP Dick and Francois Gabart even closer together. Anarchist “Estar” has run all of the numbers through his routing software and projects MACIF, Banque Pop and Virbac-Paprec 3 to all reach the Aigulles Ice Gate at exactly the same time, seeing as how they are virtually tied right now. Saturday night, all three boats have pulled even with Banque Pop furthest North, Virbac-Paprec 3 in the middle and MACIF furthest South, with a mere 15 miles separating all three boats, now more than 3 weeks and 7,000 miles into this seventh edition of the Vendée. Sailing north and slightly behind the leaders are the new-generation Juan K designed Cheminees Poujoulat of Bernard Stamm and the previous-generation Farr designed Hugo Boss of Aelx Thomson, the only previous-generation boat in the top 5.

Expect the race to remain close over the coming days. At this point, it is truly anyone’s race and it will continue to get even closer. Expect Bernard Stamm to be the lead group’s biggest mover and shaker in the next 24-48 hours. Being North of the 3 leaders, he will encounter the Southerly breeze a bit longer than than the 3 leaders and this should benefit him, as his Jaun K design has proven to be a reaching monster. As the breeze goes aft on Monday, watch for Alex Thomson to continue running hot angles and make some Southing to avoid getting trapped in a developing High.