This Sunday, after 7 full weeks of racing, and while the leaders’ roads have finally converged, Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV) leads the fleet with 101 miles ahead of Charlie Dalin who, discreetly but surely, wins day after day like a contender for victory.

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).

The Vendée Globe plays part of its outcome around the high pressure which has constrained the head of the fleet for two days after having threatened it for a long time. This high pressure area is causing reunions and separations.

What a scenario! Never in the history of the Vendée Globe has there been so little difference at this stage of the race: 10 boats in 712 miles (from Maître CoQ IV to V and B – Mayenne).

The nonstop and unassisted solo round the world race is an incredible mechanical, physical and mental challenge. This is what the 33 skippers came looking for at the start of Les Sables d’Olonne on November 8th.