For the first time in the history of the Vendée Globe, we saw eight competitors follow one another on the pontoons of Les Sables d’Olonne in the space of 23 hours and 44 minutes. 23 hours and 44 minutes of joy and emotion, as intense as this planetary regatta which will have been played through contact from start to finish. It was not until the arrival of Jean Le Cam on Thursday evening to put a final order in the hierarchy of this crazy race.

The race for victory is more open than ever: there are at least seven who can still claim it when they are expected to reach the Azores overnight.

With measured steps, Boris Herrmann (SeaExplorer – Yacht Club de Monaco) crossed the South Seas by hand, without causing fortune. Here he is, perched on a boat he announces in perfect working order, equipped with latest generation foils, in third place in the Vendée Globe behind Charlie Dalin (Apivia), leader full of authority and Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée 2 ).

In a video uploaded today, Bestaven sings at the top of his lungs in front of a wonderful sunset. The sliding conditions are perfect. Vocal side, it derails a bit in the treble. But in terms of the race, no false note to deplore. The leader unrolls a perfect score.