Storm warning for the Vendée Globe. While Yannick Bestaven is in the lead ahead of Charlie Dalin, the weather could upset the competition and complicate the progress of the competitors in the coming hours. Wind gusts of up to 60 knots and waves that can exceed seven meters in height are particularly expected near Cape Horn.
The top two in the standings, who sail east of the low in a stronger northerly wind ahead of it, have been the fastest in the past 24 hours, causing a clear split from the leading group. They now intend to take advantage of the expected storm to swing into the Atlantic with a sufficient mattress and compete for victory together.
Eleven competitors are still in the leading group, spread over a little over 700 nautical miles, but the pursuers of the front duo have been significantly behind since Wednesday. The low is now moving southeast between the two groups of boats.
Sébastien Destremau towards abandonment
The northwest wind will strengthen for the two leaders before Cape Horn, influenced by the proximity of the Andes cordillera. The worst of the storm is expected at the end of the day.
For the pursuers, including Thomas Rettant and Damien Seguin (Groupe Apicil), located to the west of the low pressure and who are sailing in a southerly wind which should gradually shift to the southwest then to the west, the immediate prospects are less brilliant.
Far from this furious battle, the last in the standings, Sébastien Destremau, 27th at nearly 6,300 miles, has entered the new year on the waves of the Indian Ocean. Not spared by the damage since the start on November 8, the 56-year-old skipper is busy tinkering to get a new autopilot. But abandonment remains the most likely option.
