This final race of the Vendée Globe eSeries (the round-the-world race divided into three sections), between Cape Horn and Les Sables d'Olonne, was particularly demanding. Behind the fine performance of Pas Foil La Gambas - TORC was BlackPanther BSP, who finished just 11 minutes and 24 seconds behind the winner. This is his 6th virtual podium finish this year. Third place went to BigLuD-EZ, who is also used to podium finishes, this being his 7th in 2023.
The capricious weather encountered by the fleet as they rounded the island of Yeu caused a few changes in the rankings. Nevertheless, we find experienced competitors in the places of honour: Sem la Guédonne / INC-BUREAU VALLEE finishes 4th ahead of ALL4ONE-EZ, Одеса / LSV-Trustable, Koky - Pve, Berurier Vert - TORC, the lord- and falcon470 / INC-BUREAU VALLEE respectively. A fine top 10.
The competitors who tried more alternative routes were not rewarded for their daring. The big dip in the Atlantic or the short-hauled option near the African and Iberian coasts didn't pay off in the end.
Pas Foil La Gambas - TORC: race winner:
« I started the race without knowing whether I would keep up the pace to the end. I arrived in Brazil in a good position, but there was a decisive choice to be made: the big rounded trajectory to the west or finding a route via the Azores. The big rounded trajectory seemed too unstable in the long term, so I opted for the route via the Azores where I quickly broke away with BigLuD-EZ, but also RflBzH - PVe who wasn't far behind, even if his attempt further north ended up pushing him back in the rankings. When I reached the south of the Azores, I chose to push a little further east than BigLuD-EZ. The next update turned out in my favour and I was able to get quite a head start on my rivals. Unfortunately for me, the weather conditions were favourable to my closest challengers, with BlackPanther BSP and BigLuD-EZ the main threats: the more the gribs advanced, the closer they were given to me at the finish... Fortunately, the final grib didn't offer any strategic options as it had in previous days. I was therefore able to conclude the race more serenely. Well done to BlackPanther BSP for 2nd place and to BigLuD-EZ for the podium. I'm all the more pleased to have won as usually the way down and up the Atlantic is often chaotic for me. I hope this bodes well for the next Vendée Globe! Well done to INC - Bureau Vallée who won the team ranking and to my team TORC eSailing who finished 2nd thanks in particular to a great race by Berurier Vert - TORC and Cadillac69 - TORC. »
Team results
In the team rankings, INC - Bureau Vallée won by a wide margin, with 7073 points. To establish this ranking, the results of the 10 best competitors in the team are taken into account. Next in line are TORC eSailing on 6457.70 points and EXTAZ SEA on 6364.90 points. Behind them, the Black Sailing Project, Team PVe, LSV - Trustable, AVR Sailing Team, CrashOubidou, Team Pro 83 and finally in 10th place, the Esailing France team.
The Vendée Globe team would like to congratulate all the participants and look forward to seeing them on 10 November 2024 for a new virtual round the world race.
