Sam Goodchild steals lead off Portugal
Britain’s Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) has taken the lead in the Vendée Globe solo race around the world as the leaders of the 40 boat fleet descend south down the Iberian peninsula. Passing the length of Portugal today, Goodchild -pursued by French ace Charlie Dalin – who is 22 nautical miles behind…
"I wanted to keep things simple. I didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of passing inside the Cape Finisterre TSS with coastal traffic, fishermen, weaving between cargo ships before and after the TSS, likely with a lot of wind and waves, while having to gybe. So I chose a simpler route, even if it meant losing some time, to better utilize the boat’s potential. Unfortunately, I had a small rudder issue just as I was passing Cape Finisterre last night: the tiller arm came loose, and I had to stop the boat for a bit of repairs. I lost some time, but these things happen."
A water leak in the sail locker of VULNERABLE for Thomas Ruyant
And breathe...after Finisterre it is time to find the race rhythm
For more than half of the Vendée Globe fleet Cape Finisterre is now behind them and with it the first big weather test of their solo round the world race . Leader Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé et Prévoyance) passed the Cape around 1845hrs UTC last night, inside the TSS, and early this morning is…
Discover the official water bottle
Dalin leads to Cape Finisterre and the first ‘monster under the bed’
Pre-race favourite Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prevoyance) is living up to his billing as he leads the 40 boat Vendée Globe fleet towards the first big test of the skippers and their craft this evening and tonight as the racers on the solo non stop race round the world set up to negotiate the…
After Sunday's storm of emotions, a smooth but intense first night. Dalin leads.
Through the first night of the Vendée Globe the record sized fleet has been carefully gybing downwind, trying to take advantage of the shifts in wind direction as they work to the SW in a NE’ly wind which has risen and fallen.
Tenth Vendée Globe enjoys gentle first hours as Kiwi Colman leads record fleet south
The record sized fleet of 40 solo sailors enjoyed a gentle opening to the Vendée Globe this afternoon off Les Sables d’Olonne on the French Atlantic coast, crossing the start line of the mythical solo non-stop race around the world at 1302hrs (local time/1202hrs UTC) in a very modest 5-6kts of…
