Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) has moved into fourth in the battle off the Brazilian coast where seven skippers are equally determined to take the best possible finishing position.
Goodchild has overtaken Jérémie Beyou (Charal) and the pair have a 40nm lead from Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) at the Friday night ranking.
After more than 60 days of racing the leading trio Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance, 1st), Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA, 2nd) and Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil, 3rd) are in the home straight.
The top two are approaching a ridge of high pressure with lighter winds, 500 miles WSW of the Canaries, but they almost have the scent of home in their nostrils, ticking off the last maritime milestones as they climb north.
A problem has arisen this Friday morning for Richomme, on PAPREC ARKÉA, who reported that the halyard lock of his J Zero headsail had broken, causing the sail to fall into the water. After 40 minutes of effort, he confirmed that he had brought the torn sail back on board, which is unusable.
Yoann continues his race and the IMOCA Paprec Arkéa is still expected on Tuesday in Les Sables d’Olonne.
Also having halyard lock problems is Boris Herrmann, currently in 7th place, who has reported a broken J2 headsail halyard lock on Malizia Seaexplorer. The boat and mast are safe, and the sail lashed on deck, but Boris’s ability to use his most crucial headsail is limited.
Vendee Globe Leaders at 22:00 hrs GMT Friday 10 January 2025
1st FRA Charlie Dalin MACIF Santé Prévoyance – 1319 nm to Finish
2nd FRA Yoann Richomme PAPREC ARKÉA – 167 nm to leader
3rd FRA Sébastien Simon GROUPE Dubreuil – 828 nm to leader
4th GBR Sam Goodchild VULNERABLE – 2677 nm to leader
5th FRA Jérémie Beyou CHARAL – 2678 nm to leader
6th FRA Paul Meilhat Biotherm
7th FRA Thomas Ruyant VULNERABLE
8th FRA Nicolas Lunven HOLCIM – PRB
9th GER Boris Herrmann MALIZIA – SEAEXPLORER
10th SUI Justine Mettraux TEAMWORK-Team Snef
11th FRA Clarisse Crémer L’OCCITANE en Provence
12th FRA Benjamin Dutreux GUYOT ENVIRONNEMENT – WATER FAMILY
13th GBR Samantha Davies Initiatives-Cœur – 3293 nm to leader
14th FRA Jean Le Cam TOUT COMMENCE EN FINISTERE – ARMOR-LUX
15th FRA Romain Attanasio FORTINET – BEST WESTERN
16th SUI Alan Roura HUBLOT
17th FRA Damien Seguin GROUPE APICIL
18th ITA Giancarlo Pedote – PRYMIAN
19th FRA/GER Isabelle Joschke MACSF
20th FRA Benjamin Ferre – Monnoyeur
