In American sports, there is one phrase to define suspense at the end of a game: “money time”. And it perfectly fits to the skin of this Vendée Globe scenario. “It will remain historic,” says Yannick Bestaven.

The tension is palpable at the head of the race. Thomas Rettant recognized a “frustration” at not being able to fight 100% in the first group. For his part, Louis Burton could take advantage of his option further west to escape.

Since the ranking of Wednesday 23 December at 3 p.m., Jérémie Beyou has been crossing the Indian Ocean at an average speed of 19.5 knots. In 48 hours, the skipper of Charal had swallowed 750 miles and, in doing so, he passed in turn Manuel Cousin (Groupe Sétin) and Didac Costa (One Planet One Ocean), now showing himself threatening in the wake of Stéphane Le Diraison (Time for Oceans).

On the morning of this 39th day of racing, Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV) took the lead in the Vendée Globe. By succeeding Thomas Rettant (LinkedOut), the Rochelais becomes the 8th leader of this Vendée Globe which, this afternoon, experienced the compensation awarded by the race jury to the baffled solo sailors to assist Kevin Escoffier on November 30.