As the fleet nears the Cape of Good Hope, competitors are racing fiercely at historic speeds, with Charlie Dalin leading a close pack within 100 nautical miles. Driven by favorable weather, sailors are achieving 23-27 knots, with Sébastien Simon setting a daily distance record of 604.62 nautical miles. While exhilarating, the intense conditions pose challenges for the sailors and raise concerns about the boats’ structural integrity, as they navigate the rough seas.
Leading the Charge Towards the Cape of Good Hope
The fleet remains in fierce competition, racing at remarkable, historic speeds as they approach the Cape of Good Hope. During the 7 a.m. checkpoint on Wednesday, November 27, Charlie Dalin (Macif) and his closest rivals, including Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable), Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), Yoann Richomme (Paprec-Arkéa), Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB), and Jérémie Beyou (Charal), find themselves within a mere 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) of each other.
Record-Breaking Speeds Amidst Challenging Conditions
Fueled by a weather system off the Brazilian coast, these sailors are clocking speeds of 23-24 knots (40-44 km/h), with the leader pushing over 27 knots (50 km/h). Notably, Sébastien Simon, currently holding third place, has shattered the record for the most distance covered in a day, traveling 604.62 nautical miles (1119.75 km) from Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. to Wednesday at the same time, achieving an impressive average speed of 25.19 knots (approximately 46.5 km/h).
Nicolas Lunven, skipper of Holcim-PRB, mentioned the challenges of life on board: “For life on board, it’s a bit of a hassle. Everything is a mission.” Meanwhile, the Groupe Dubreuil skipper expressed his astonishment at the relentless pace: “The boat is going at 30, 32, 34 knots (62 km/h). It never slows down.” He noted that with the right wind conditions, they are able to accelerate rapidly, and he hopes to break more records in the upcoming days.
This vigorous speed is taking a toll on the sailors, as they navigate through challenging conditions. Lunven described the intense experience inside his Imoca Holcim-PRB: “We’re between 25 and 30 knots. It’s really pounding!” He added, “I put on the heavy helmet because we’re getting tossed around a bit. Cooking, sleeping, moving around—everything is a mission.” In contrast, Charlie Dalin has secured himself with a seatbelt to brace for the wild ride ahead.
The tumultuous sea conditions are not only uncomfortable but also raise concerns about the structural integrity of the boats. Yoann Richomme (Paprec-Arkéa), currently in fourth place, highlighted the discomfort of the rapid pace: “It’s incredibly uncomfortable! It’s not reassuring for the equipment.” He voiced his apprehension about the reckless speed of the group, emphasizing the need for endurance as they face the ongoing challenge of maintaining such speeds over the course of the race.