The distance to the Vendee Globe finish line is now less than 10,000 nautical miles, with Charlie Dalin at 9746 nm and Yannick Bestaven at 9,762 nm early on Christmas Day.
And Dalin returned to the race lead on Christmas Day, by virtue of his more direct course.
He commented, “I’ve been looking at this number for quite some time like many others and it’s true that it’s symbolic to pass this milestone. It’s a good thing, like a milestone . . . I like these markers that make the race more enjoyable!”
Point Nemo, also known as the oceanic pole of inaccessibility, is the farthest point from land on our planet. Located within the Southern Pacific ocean between New Zealand and South America, the nearest landmass is 1,670 miles away.
Vendée Globe Leaders – Day 48 – Fri 25 Dec – Updated at 21:00 hrs UK
1st FRA Charlie Dalin – APIVIA – – 9709 nm to finish – sailing at 10+ knots
2nd FRA Yannick Bestaven – Maître CoQ IV – 6 nm
3rd FRA Boris Herrmann – SEAEXPLORER – 207 nm
4th FRA Jean Le Cam – Yes we Cam! – 209 nm
5th FRA Damien Seguin – GROUPE APICIL – 224 nm
8th FRA Isabelle JOSCHKE – MACSF – 232 nm
7th FRA Thomas Ruyant – LinkedOut – 251 nm
6th FRA Benjamin DUTREUX – OMIA – WATER FAMILY – 302 nm
9th FRA Giancarlo Pedote – PRYSMIAN GROUP – 260 nm
10th FRA Maxime SOREL – V and B-MAYENNE – 280 nm
GBR:
17th GBR Pip Hare – Medallia – 2376 nm
23rd GBR Miranda Merron – Campagne de France – 3717 nm
Retired:
Nicolas Troussel, Alex Thomson, Kevin Escoffier, Alex Thomson, Sebastien Simon, Sam Davies, Fabrice Amedo