It is still difficult to model the final miles in the Bay of Biscay with light winds looking likely. But right now they have the tail of a depression spurring them on and from being stuck for hours with the sails flapping in the leftover swell, they are well into double figures of boat speed.
“I look at the GPS: 15, 16 knots. It feels weird, after these last few days of struggle. I laugh about it now, but honestly, it was very mentally demanding.” Remarks Cousin this morning, “We are starting to dream of a little more comfort. A real shower, for example. We have some from time to time when the weather is nice, but well... it's not like at home. And then there's the food: fresh fruit, good meat, fish, vegetables. I’m There are also all those little everyday things that we no longer think about when we live on land: a bed that doesn't move, a normal toilet... We get used to it, of course, but after more than 100 days at sea, we start to want to find a little comfort again. Sleeping on a beanbag with a damp duvet is fine for a while, but a good duvet and a good mattress wouldn't go amiss!”
Still fighting on after all these miles
Manu Cousin, the 57 year old former automotive industry executive turned ocean racer, will today pass under the 1000 nautical miles to go barrier on board his IMOCA Coup de Pouce. Like his two rivals Fabrice Amedeo (Nexans-Wewise) and Denis Van Weynbergh, the Belgian skipper of D’Ieteren Group, he has now emerged out of the high pressure ridge south of the Azores which had them all stuck for three days. Cousin is now some 300 miles ahead of Amedeo and should finish in the middle of this week, Amedeo likely next weekend with Van Weynbergh a couple more days behind.
But beyond material comfort, what really feels good right now are all the little messages we receive. Those from loved ones, friends, partners, people who follow the race... It's a real source of pleasure and it supports us mentally. We know that there are people behind us, but actually reading and hearing this is even better. Personally, I have gotten into the habit of calling my partner once a day. It’s an important moment that we keep at all costs, no matter what we tell ourselves. Having this little ritual really feels good. After so much time at sea, we need to hold on to what really matters.
Manu finishes, “Now normally, I should have wind, with the tail of the depression. We’ll have to be careful, because this is not the time to make mistakes. At this stage of the race, there is a lot of fatigue, both for me and for the boat, so the priority is caution and staying focused.”
Tired skippers, tired boats
Tired skippers, tired boats is a combination that requires vigilance, especially during manoeuvres and transitions. Amedeo reports., “I now have the impression we are making miles home so it's nice. And there you have it, I hope it will speed up in the hours to come. In any case, I am less than 1500 miles from the finish. And that should be 1000 miles at the end of the weekend so there you go, it will start to go by, it is quite pleasant. The little everyday things that feel good, this stage of the race in fact it is not much because there are no more biscuits. So in fact, what feels good at this stage of the race is to be still racing, in race mode. It is to stay in the long haul of the Vendée Globe and to try not to think too much about the finish. I have six days at sea left and it can be very very long if I start to think only about that. So I try to continue to take care of my boat and to act as if I still have a month at sea ahead of me. I think that is the best thing to do. I said that I was hungry in a video. Indeed. In fact, I left with a comfortable 100 days of food. Well, I'm going to put 110 and the 100 days of food, since I'm past 90, I don't have many small snacks, small biscuits, little things like that. So in fact, it's going to be fine. I get to the finish, I'm going to be able to have breakfast, lunch, dinner, But let's say that I'm running at 2500 calories per day. So I'm normally going to need 3500, I think, where I'm on a boat. A guy my size on a boat. So there you go, it's a bit tight. So no danger, no worries. But hey, it's not very pleasant. The next 24-48 hours, it's downwind to pass the cetacean exclusion zone of the Azores by leaving it on my left, passing to the east.”
He explains his weather outlook,
Then, the Azores high is re-establishing itself, I'm heading upwind towards the north, the centre of the high is passing over me, I have no choice. And then, I have a front that will propel me at a good speed towards Cape Finistere, and then, for the Bay of Biscay, it's a little more uncertain for the moment. So, listen, the routings have me arriving late Friday evening at Les Sables d'Olonne, so that's a finish more likely to be Saturday during the day.
The second of March should see the final finish of this Vendée Globe, Denis Van Weynbergh who said last night, “Since yesterday evening, the wind has returned, and this morning, we were treated to a superb sunrise, which made the moment even more satisfying, almost exceptional. After these three or four complicated days, where we had to be patient it was great this morning. Recently it was really hard mentally: when you’re moving at one or two knots, without seeing the end of the tunnel, it’s tough. So yes, we’re enjoying this return of the wind, hoping that it lasts, even if we know that there will still be some calm areas to cross. We are close to the Azores and the center of the high pressure area, so we are playing with fire a bit... We are keeping our fingers crossed that the routings are right and that everything goes well.
Denis reminds us, " There are always the little things which make it better, a piece of chocolate, a good coffee at sunrise, beautiful light... Simple little things that bring comfort. As for food, everything is fine, but what is really starting to be missed is human contact. Seeing people, talking to them, having real social interactions... After 102 or 103 days at sea, this is what becomes the most difficult. Fortunately, with the internet connection and WhatsApp, we maintain a connection, but it does not replace the real presence of others. Loneliness, after a while, weighs a bit heavily.
Now, normally, I will be able to continue to do the direct route for another 24 hours. Then, I will have to go further north, because the wind will change. Then by the Azores, where there is arisk of slowing down crossing a windless zone before being able to go past the islands by their east. After that, if all goes well, I should then be on a reach towards the entrance to the Bay of Biscay.
