Dalin Maintains Lead as Chasers Close in the Vendée Globe
Skipper Charlie Dalin (Macif) remains at the forefront of the Vendée Globe, but the gap is shrinking as his closest pursuers gain ground. SUNDAY MORNING revealed he held a 272 nautical mile lead over Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), a testament to the intense competition unfolding on the frigid seas.
Cape Leeuwin beckons: A Fight Against the Cold
Dalin, aiming for Cape Leeuwin at the southwestern tip of Australia, recently edged further away from the Arctic Exclusion Zone (AEZ), a prohibited area designed to protect the fleet from icebergs. This strategic maneuver keeps him in the Cinquantièmes Hurlants, an area east of the Kerguelen Islands where water temperatures hover around a bone-chilling two degrees Celsius – perilously close to freezing.
The Top Eight: High Seas Cards shuffled
Among the eight sailors closest behind Dalin, most opted for a longer – but considered safer – northern route. The pace remains fast and furious, however, with small gains and losses shaping the dynamic leaderboard. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa), currently in third place, trails Dalin by 545 nautical miles. Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) lost some ground, dropping to fourth place, 655 nautical miles behind the leader. Despite the frigid conditions, Jérémie Beyou (Charal) made impressive headway, closing the gap to 932 nautical miles during the night.
Nicolas Lunven (Holcim – PRB) stands out for his blistering performance in the last 24 hours. His relentless push forward secured him sixth place, overtaking Briton Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable), who is now at 946 nautical miles behind Dalin.
The Bite of Winter: Heating a Luxury Few Can Afford
The relentless cold poses a significant challenge to these courageous sailors. A lack of onboard heating keeps them battling low temperatures, with only 25% of the fleet equipped with this luxury. The majority are forced to contend with the harsh realities of dampness and frigid cold that permeates every corner of their vessels.
A Sailor’s Perspective: Battling the Elements
Antoine Cornic, racing in 31st position aboard his boat Human Immobilier, shared a powerful account of the conditions facing him. For him, as well as a number of others, it’s a grueling battle for survival more than 3,000 miles behind leader Dalin. “This cold isn’t just something that touches your skin,” expressed Cornic, a former judoka who crossed the Cape of Good Hope just days ago. “It infiltrates, imprints itself and seems to want to become a part of you.”
Cornic emphasized the constant struggle against moisture on board. “Inside the boat, everything’s dripping with humidity,” he explained. “Clothes and sleeping bags stick together. It’s the hardest part, I think.
You understand why the newer IMOCAs have fully enclosed cockpits. I have an old-fashioned boat, and to protect myself, I really have no choice but to spend a lot of time inside.”
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Current Race Standings
1. Charlie Dalin (Macif)
2. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) 272.73 nautical miles from Leader
3. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa) 545.25 nautical miles from Leader
4. Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable) 655.69 nautical miles from the Leader
5. Jérémie Beyou (Charal) 932.28 nautical miles from the Leader
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#Vendée #Globe #shoveling #wheels #sea #Dalin #lead
How far ahead is Charlie Dalin from Sébastien Simon in the Vendée Globe race?
## Interview: Vendée Globe Update
**Host:** Welcome back to the show! We’re mid-way through the grueling Vendée Globe, and the tension is truly gripping. Joining us now is sailing expert, **Alex Reed**: Welcome to the show!
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me! The Vendée Globe never disappoints in terms of excitement, that’s for sure.
**Host**: Absolutely! Charlie Dalin is holding onto his lead, but it seems his competitors are closing in fast.
**Alex Reed**: That’s right. While Dalin has a solid 272 nautical mile lead over Sébastien Simon right now, the opposite of complacency seems to be settling in, especially with the threats from Yoann Richomme and the impressive leap by Nicolas Lunven. Every mile on this course is a battle.
**Host**: I understand the conditions are incredibly challenging.
**Alex Reed**: You’re not kidding! Dalin is navigating the Cinquantièmes Hurlants, basically bordering on freezing waters. It’s not just the cold itself, but the dampness that permeates everything. Most of these sailors don’t even have onboard heating! Talk about extreme conditions.
**Host**: Oui, incredible. Your thoughts on Dalin’s strategy of staying south?
**Alex Reed**: It’s a bold move. He’s risked encountering more icebergs to potentially gain a strategic advantage by using the stronger winds and currents in that area. It’s a gamble, but so far it seems to be paying off.
**Host**: And what about the others taking the longer, northern route?
**Alex Reed**: It’s a safer bet, but with slower progress. Everyone’s watching Dalin. If he falters, the northern group will be in prime position to capitalize.
**Host**: Fascinating. Looking forward to seein how this unfolds! Thank you for your insights, **Alex Reed**.
**Alex Reed**: My pleasure.
[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vend%C3%A9e_Globe)
