Determination personified, Denis is getting there

He should cross his finish line this Saturday in the afternoon or evening. He will cross the line off Les Sables d’Olonne after it closes (this Friday at 0700hrs  but he will certainly be happy and feel a huge sense of achievement having overcome his problems and got to the end of his solo race round the world. 

What does it feel like after 115 days at sea, solo, non-stop and without assistance? Denis Van Weynbergh, the last sailor still racing in this round the world race, is deep in his determined mental state. Since the beginning of last week and the breakage of the mainsail halyard he has been moving forward sometimes with no mainsail but more recently with three reefs in his mainsail (the lowest level). The Belgian is especially hoping that “the repairs will hold”. In any case, his sail configuration has significantly slowed his progress. Psychologically it is very, very tough. 

100 per cent Amateur program

He is the only 100% amateur project in this Vendée Globe but is making miles every day and is gradually getting closer to the finish line. To add to the difficulties, he also has to deal with maritime traffic, which is getting busier. "It's not easy to tack in the cargo lanes as you approach Cape Finisterre," admits Denis. The sailor decided to go inside the TSS (traffic separation provision) by sailing along the Spanish coast yesterday Wednesday

Now, he is making progress in the Bay of Biscay and there again, it is tough. "I have very little wind. I would like the wind to shift more to the south to get  east and have a slightly more direct route". “He has some strong winds coming in from the south-east". Christian Dumard, weather consultant for the Vendée Globe, explains: "Denis does not have much wind at the moment. But a south-easterly wind will strengthen tomorrow afternoon and then in the evening".