Vendée Globe: Banque 'robber' Le Cléach's clean getaway

More than 8,000 miles or over one third of the theoretical course of 24,032 miles has been completed. In fact real distances sailed by the leaders are already well over 9,000 miles but there is still hardly anything separating the top four boats. 

Back on top this Saturday afternoon is Armel Le Cléac’h. The Banque Populaire skipper has not only jumped back to the head of the leader board but looks set to extend significantly, most notably on the three skippers now giving chase.

Le Cléac’h is well into getaway mode, sailing directly east in a perfectly useful 15kts of NW’ly breeze, making some 15-16kts of boat speed. Adding to the advantage his own particular strategy has now given him, the high pressure zone which encircled the Crozet gate appears to have moved slightly south, further slowing down his pursuers.

“ The anticyclone is a pain, the wind was 10 knots and now it’s even less, it’s difficult.” Complained Jean-Pierre Dick on Vendée Globe LIVE early this afternoon, noting:

“ Compared to four years ago, we’ve been closer to each other for a longer time. In 2008 there were bigger gaps between us in the Indian Ocean. This year, after a week in the Indian Ocean, we are still groups. It feels like the Atlantic.”

Brits’ Sterling work
The relative fortunes of the two remaining British skippers in the race are also on the rise. Alex Thomson reflected today on the ongoing intensity and the resulting enjoyment of simply being consistently ‘in the match’, challenging in the lead group for most of the race so far.

The Hugo Boss skipper has already gained significant kudos from French race fans for his performance to date, not least yesterday from France’s current Solitaire du Figaro champion Yann Eliès.  Though he was up to within 55 miles of this morning’s leader François Gabart, Thomson is back investing to get south quicker, to break into the stronger breeze and so losing a few miles relative the group ahead who are pointed more to the east.

It is pretty good it wont be long before I gybe though, probably tonight some time, and then it should start to pick up. These guys are headed more east than I am at the moment, so they are extending all the time. I will probably gybe first, then we will back into it again. I am happy with my position, catching on the back of this group, but there is a long way to go.”  Said Thomson,

“ It’s a nice anniversary, a month at sea, I feel good, physically and mentally. I feel great really, I am really enjoying everything so far, trying to keep up with the work. Everything makes a big difference when you are performing, and doing well. I feel great. I am looking forwards to the next month.”

In sixth Mike Golding and his two ‘partners in crime’, Jean Le Cam and Dominique Wavre are now into a very beneficial weather system which, Golding, believes will keep on giving. Initially follwing on the the edge of the high pressure, the trio now have a low pressure trough which is moving east with them. The Gamesa skipper believes not only will it develop to give them a ride on stronger winds, but will allow them a slightly better trajectory than the leading boats for the next few days. In recent days Golding’s deficit has all but halved, now at 399 miles this afternoon.

Di Benedetto ready
He may be short on open ocean experience on an IMOCA Open 60 but having crossed the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans on beach catamarans, as well has his remarkable 268 day circumnavigation of the globe on a 6.5m Mini, the first big southern oceans depression will probably not hold too much store for Alessandro di Benedetto. The Team Plastique skipper was anticipating squalls of over 55kts as a system goes through, but he was well positioned on the system to enjoy some fast downwind sailing.

PHOTO : VINCENT CURUTCHET