Charlie Dalin (APIVIA) has retaken the lead of the Vendee Globe and is in control of a very tight three way fight at the moment.
At 48 hours to the first finisher is expected on the line Wednesday afternoon computer modelling from the current weather predictions suggest three solo skippers could finish within four hours of each other.
An upset is still possible, with the wind on the Bay of Biscay due to strengthen for those chasing the leaders in on Wednesday into Thursday morning.
It is still possible that fifth placed Yannick Bestaven – 253 miles behind leader Charlie Dalin this Monday afternoon – can arrive and steal a podium position, even victory . . . because of his 10hrs and 15 minutes of time recompense given for his role in helping search for Kevin Escoffier after the French skipper had to abandon his boat.
So every fraction of a knot that Dalin can find might prove vital, he has absolutely no latitude for small mistakes or failures during the next 48 hours to the finish line.
Every mile gained just now at 19-20kts can compensate for a slower miles as the breeze eases closer to the finish line.
Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut) and Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ IV) are both heading north to try to gain some advantage before they gybe back towards Portugal and the light wind Bay of Biscay finishing stage.
Vendée Globe Leaders – Day 78 – Mon 25 Jan – Updated 21:00 hrs UK
1st FRA Charlie Dalin – APIVIA – 595 nm to finish – sailing at 13+ knots
2nd FRA Louis Burton – BUREAU VALLEE 2 – 46 nm – sailing at 11+ knots
3rd FRA Boris Herrmann – SEAEXPLORER – 75 nm – sailing at 15+ knots
4th FRA Thomas Ruyant – LinkedOut – 249 nm
5th FRA Yannick Bestaven – Maître CoQ IV – 304 nm
6th FRA Damien Seguin – GROUPE APICIL – 371 nm
7th FRA Giancarlo Pedote – PRYSMIAN GROUP – 408 nm
8th FRA Jean Le Cam – Yes we Cam! – 563 nm
9th FRA Benjamin DUTREUX – OMIA – WATER FAMILY – 769 nm
10th FRA Maxime SOREL – V and B-MAYENNE – 962 nm
GBR:
19th GBR Pip Hare – Medallia – 3396 nm
22nd GBR Miranda Merron – Campagne de France – 4236 nm
Retired:
Nicolas Troussel, Alex Thomson, Kevin Escoffier, Alex Thomson, Sebastien Simon, Sam Davies, Fabrice Amedo, Isabelle Joschke, Sébastien Destremau
