As the Vendée Globe reaches its 10th week, Tanguy Le Turquais competes fiercely in the Atlantic, particularly against his friend Benjamin Ferré. Enjoying warmer temperatures, Tanguy reflects on the race’s challenges, including a sail repair and algae growth. He remains determined to close the gap with competitors as he navigates through storms and aims for favorable trade winds, feeling invigorated and optimistic about his position in the race.
Intense Competition on the Atlantic
As the Vendée Globe enters its 10th week, the Atlantic Ocean becomes a battleground for fierce competition among skippers. Tanguy Le Turquais, currently in 21st place, is eager to take on his rivals, particularly his friend Benjamin Ferré, affectionately dubbed ‘Pépinos.’ Tanguy asserts, “I am in a tough race with Benjamin for the top spot among the skippers. With 2-3 weeks of sailing remaining, we must keep pushing until the very end.”
Embracing Warmer Waters
Now on day J.63, Tanguy finds himself enjoying much warmer temperatures compared to previous weeks in the southern hemisphere. “Look at what we’ve pulled out—the shorts! Just last week, I was rounding Cape Horn at a chilly 0°C, and now, off the coast of Rio, it’s a sweltering 40°C. It’s a significant change!”
On day J.65, Tanguy acknowledges that competing in the Vendée Globe does not isolate sailors from the world. News of Charlie Dalin’s victory reached him, and he expressed his congratulations: “Big shout-out to Charlie! It’s wild to think I have three weeks left at sea while he has already crossed the finish line.” He understands the gap reflects the varying performance of different boats: “Older boats have their own narrative.” As he strategizes for the upcoming days, Tanguy emphasizes, “This is a pivotal moment in the race. I need to close the gap with Benjamin, Isabelle Joschke, and Giancarlo Pedote. The first to escape this windless stretch will catch the trade winds and pull ahead. It’s crucial to get as close as possible to them.”
On day J.66, Tanguy feels ready to implement his strategy. He points out the positions of his competitors and shares his aspirations: “Straight ahead, the storms of Cape Frio are on the horizon tonight. We’ll push through this tough patch and then access the trade winds. I’m looking forward to a good four-day rest after tonight.” Since passing Cape Horn, sailing has demanded his full attention.
On day J.67, Tanguy announces, “We’ve navigated past the cold front of Cape Frio and are now on a port tack, aiming to catch the southern hemisphere’s trade winds.” Confidence radiates from him as he spots Benjamin Ferré aboard his IMOCA.
Challenges at Sea
In the unpredictable world of sailing, there’s never a dull moment. Tanguy faces an unexpected challenge: “I have a small invasion of algae growing on the transom.” With the heat stimulating their growth, he adds, “We’ll optimize everything to minimize any loss of speed compared to Benji.” Additionally, he has to fix a tear in one of his sails: “I’m repairing the J1, which has developed a seam tear for reasons unknown.” Despite these hurdles, Tanguy remains hopeful, acknowledging, “Benjamin is slightly ahead in these conditions, but I’m not giving up.”
After braving a significant squall, Tanguy feels invigorated: “We just navigated through that storm, and it was quite intense.” Thanks to the tumultuous weather, he manages to catch up to Benjamin: “Look who we found—little Pépinos, who left yesterday and waited for me due to the lack of wind. I managed to catch up behind that squall, which is great!”
On the following day, Tanguy continues to keep a close eye on Benjamin, even during the night. “That bright spot is the Moon, and the little red dot beneath it is Pépins. We’re on a significant port tack after nearly circumnavigating the globe. It’s an extraordinary experience!” Feeling rejuvenated, he declares, “You have a Tanguy in great shape, both physically and mentally. This is fantastic!”