Around the World in Less Than 78 days and two hours?
Let's take another glance at the Vendee Globe and see how our skippers are doing. A reminder –the Vendee Globe is the world’s most severe mental and physical test of solo endurance sailing. Solo sailors race around the globe, passing through the most hostile oceans of the world without a crew, medical staff or navigational assistance.
The 2016 Field
When the 2016-2017 race began on November 6th from Les Sables d'Olonne, more than 300,000 spectators crammed into the port and gathered along the coastline to farewell the competitors from around the world. Competing skippers came from France, the United States, New Zealand, Ireland, Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, Japan and Switzerland to take part. The youngest in this year's field is the 23 year old Alan Roura from Switzerland while the oldest is American Rich Wilson at 66.
There has never been a Vendee Globe race in which all competing vessels reached the finish line, the maximum so far was 71 of 138. So, most participants will simply be happy to complete the course. Of the serious contenders for the title, nine have a chance to finish under the mark set by Francois Gabart in 2012 who completed the race in 78 days and two hours. Race organizers predict the winner will reach Les Sables d'Olonne once again by January 20, after successfully tackling the ‘Everest of the Seas’, the three capes of Good Hope, Horn and Leeuwin, and the massive 21,638 nautical mile course.
There has never been a Vendee Globe race in which all competing vessels reached the finish line, the maximum so far was 71 of 138. So, most participants will simply be happy to complete the course. Of the serious contenders for the title, nine have a chance to finish under the mark set by Francois Gabart in 2012 who completed the race in 78 days and two hours. Race organizers predict the winner will reach Les Sables d'Olonne once again by January 20, after successfully tackling the ‘Everest of the Seas’, the three capes of Good Hope, Horn and Leeuwin, and the massive 21,638 nautical mile course.
On December 8th, race leaders entered the Pacific Ocean for the first time. It’s often difficult to understand who is in the lead and determine the distances between first and second place. While GPS technology can paint quite a clear picture judgement remains a challenging because the yachts are scattered thousands of miles apart, each plotting their own course to the next landmark. Every tack and jibe presents changing dynamics for leaders, with potential lulls affecting sailors for hours and days, providing those trailing behind with a chance to make up ground.
At the halfway point, it’s clear that this year’s Vendee Globe is set for an exciting finish - weather conditions are difficult to predict and the field is tightly grouped.
At the halfway point, it’s clear that this year’s Vendee Globe is set for an exciting finish - weather conditions are difficult to predict and the field is tightly grouped.
