"Vendée Globe: Leaders Thrive Against the Odds"

Charlie Dalin's Race Against the Low Pressure

At the back of the center of the low, there are ten-meter waves and brutal 60-knot gusts. But Dalin and Simon are determined to stay ahead of the worst of this voracious system. As of now, Dalin admits to feeling a bit tired and needing rest, yet he is managing to keep up with his routing. Every little gain towards the east is pure gold, as it means facing a smaller sea state and less strong winds further east. He is fighting hard to stay ahead for as long as possible, knowing that he will eventually be caught by the low pressure, but the later, the better.

The GRIB files are working well in terms of wind speed and direction, and he is also monitoring the progress of the weather systems through Windy (weather forecasting website). This process of decision-making took him a long time. He was the southmost boat at the time but decided to stay south, even though it meant a potential cost. Spending ten hours in front of the computer, running hundreds of routings, he tried to work out the best choice. And it has been an exciting and challenging experience, like sailing against a monster with blinkers on, only looking forwards at the course.

Sébastien Simon's Performance

While Dalin is making significant progress, Sébastien Simon is also thriving in this challenging environment. He is showing similar determination and skill in dealing with the low pressure system. Like Dalin, he is focused on making every meter count as they race eastward. The fast foilers they are using are enabling them to do things that were previously only possible with multihulls, opening up new possibilities in the race.

Both Dalin and Simon are setting an example of what it takes to succeed in the Vendée Globe. Their ability to handle the extreme conditions and make strategic decisions is truly remarkable. As they continue their journey, the world is watching to see how they will fare against the remaining challenges of the race.

Race Updates and Attrition

Since the start of the 2024-25 edition on November 10, there have been some setbacks. Maxime Sorel (FRA) faced an ankle injury and mast damage on November 15. Louis Burton (FRA) had a rigging failure on December 4. But the race goes on, and the leaders are forging ahead, showing the true spirit of the Vendée Globe.

The Vendée Globe, raced in the 60-foot IMOCA, is the elite race around the world, solo, non-stop, and without assistance. Armel Le Cléac’h holds the record for the 24,300 nm course with a time of 74 days 03 hours 35 minutes 46 seconds. Only one sailor has won it twice: Michel Desjoyeaux in 2001 and 2009. This is the tenth running of the race, and the story continues to unfold with these remarkable leaders.