Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Vendée Globe Day 14 morning update: Ruyant on top as leaders contemplate best route

by Vendée Globe 21 Nov 2020 07:23 GMT 21 November 2020

Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut) has taken the lead at the head of the 32 boat Vendée Globe fleet on the early morning rankings today as the breakaway top trio enjoy a fast slide south eastwards towards the Southern Ocean.

Being in first place on the rankings will be a pleasing moment for Ruyant, the 39 year old skipper from the north of France who had to abandon the 2016-17 race, and for his very supportive group of investors from his home region who financed the build of his boat.

LinkedOut made 511.4 miles over the 24 hours to 0400hrs TU this morning. The leading trio now have a gap of over 200 miles ahead of a group of seven IMOCAs which Jean Le Cam tries to keep under control. But at the front of the fleet the battle is set to become more intense late tomorrow as the leaders start a sequence of manoeuvres which will almost certainly decide who gets to the Southern Ocean first. And so, with this ahead, it is vitally important over the next hours to stick to a routine which maximises sleep and builds energy for the next pivotal phase.

Ruyant, second placed Alex Thomson (HUGO BOSS) and Charlie Dalin (Apivia) in third, who also dropped miles overnight know only too well that this stage of the descent down the South Atlantic is all about positioning for the medium to long term.

After five days on top of the standings this morning Thomson will not be too concerned to see the Frenchman lead the rankings. Yesterday the British skipper confirmed he is sailing his own race as much as possible, biding his time for when the particular strengths of his boat should prevail. He will take more store from the fact that all three boats are very closely matched in speed and he and rival Ruyant are neck and neck in terms of latitude.

Woken from what he confirmed is a regime of regular naps - achieved despite whistling along at 20-23kts - Ruyant may have been drowsy and did not know he is leading, but nonetheless was on point "It is getting out of hand! It's stimulating but at the same time we put a lot of pressure on each other. I'm happy to be where I am, in the top three, you have to be here right now, it's important not to be behind "

Between yawns this morning at 4am he noted "The situation is quite classic but also not easy to negotiate. The wind corridor under the Saint Helena high does not go all the way (south). What is certain is that you have to just jump in there, try to knit it all together as well as possible. From the end of the day tomorrow, there will be a lot of manoeuvres, we will get into the tough bit."

The longest gybe

Behind them the southbound train of boats stretches back across the Equator to the Cape Verde islands. With 13 days of racing since the start and more then 20000 miles still to sail the feeling for the rookies can, at this stage, feel quite overwhelming, almost like a kind of vertigo. Since they crossed the Equator the IMOCAs sail on a relentless, monotonous port gybe in SE'ly trade winds, trimming the sails but not making any changes in direction or manoeuvres, An almost monotonous aspect for Maxime Sorel: "I'm not used to it, we will be on this same tack for several days. It's the first time that I've been on the same tack for so long. I think this is a stage of the Vendée Globe when I now start to realize the real duration of the race. "

Benjamin Dutreux, the 30 year old rookie from Ile d'Yeu - just offshore of Les Sables d'Olonne, - who dreamed of racing around the world since he was a child, is in the same state of mind but makes the most of his 11th position in the fleet racing neck and neck with Damien Seguin on Apicil. Neither have been south of Salvador de Bahia: "The South American coast is immense! We're going to stay on the same tack for a long time for sure, but I have Damien fighting with me. The game is fun, as long as it lasts!. " Dutreux said at 4 o'clock this morning between bites of chocolate muesli and ready to cook his last egg.

Thomas Ruyant said this morning:

"It is good, it is stimulating and at the same time we are putting pressure on ourselves, the boats are obviously close on speed and on every ranking. But it is typical of the South Atlantic and the race to get south but it is important to be going well at the moment but I am working hard to catch Alex who was well ahead in the North Atlantic so to be at the stage and be close is good. I am happy.

It is classic with the front but at the end of it it is not easy to to negotiate. The models are not entirely agreeing in what happens but there will be a lot of manoeuvres to come from the end of tomorrow, that will be quite hard.

Initially it was about getting the best angle since getting out of the Doldrums and obviously I set a route but I have had a good angle and good winds all the time and I think all the time maybe Alex has had less wind and certainly during the early part of the descent of the South Atlantic."

Find out more...

Related Articles

An emotional evening in Les Sables d'Olonne
Les Sables d'Olonne lit up to celebrate the heroes of the Vendée Globe 2024-2025 On Saturday 10 May, Les Sables d'Olonne lit up to celebrate the heroes of the Vendée Globe 2024-2025. An exceptional evening brought together tens of thousands of people, with strong emotions and unforgettable memories, despite the driving rain. Posted on 11 May
An evening honouring the Vendée Globe heroes
On Saturday, May 10, Les Sables d'Olonne will once again come alive to celebrate On Saturday, May 10, Les Sables d'Olonne will once again come alive to celebrate the epic journey of the Vendée Globe and pay tribute to the skippers of the 2024 edition, during a spectacular evening filled with emotion and festivity. Posted on 5 May
Vendée Globe: A record-breaking 10th edition
An unprecedented level of competition The 10th edition of the Vendée Globe ends on an exceptional note, from a sporting, popular and media point of view. The level of competition has never been so high. Posted on 26 Mar
Francesca Clapcich launches 2028 Vendée Globe bid
Team Francesca Clapcich Powered By 11th Hour Racing will purchase Malizia-Seaexplorer Double Olympian and round-the-world sailor, Francesca Clapcich, along with her Title Sponsor 11th Hour Racing, have announced their ambition to see the Italian American on the startline of the 2028 Vendée Globe. Posted on 20 Mar
Vendée Globe - It's a wrap
Belgian skipper Denis Van Weynbergh is back in Les Sables d'Olonne Belgian skipper Denis Van Weynbergh completes solo non stop round the world passage but finishes outside the 2024 Vendée Globe ranking. Posted on 8 Mar
Vendée Globe 2024 Documentary
An extraordinary event recaptured over 52 minutes There were 40 solo skippers who set off on November 10 in front of a cheering crowd, for a race that will go down in history. Posted on 8 Mar
Fabrice Amedeo finishes 32nd in the Vendée Globe
Only Belgian skipper Denis Van Weynbergh (D'Ieteren Group) is now left racing Former political journalist turned ocean racer Fabrice Amedeo completed his second Vendée Globe today (Tuesday) when he crossed the Les Sables d'Olonne finish line at 14h UTC to take in 32nd place. Posted on 4 Mar
Manuel Cousin finishes 31th in the Vendée Globe
The 57 year old ocean racer completes his second successful Vendée Globe After 111 days and 38 minutes racing since leaving Les Sables d'Olonne on 10th November French skipper Manuel Cousin crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe today at 1240hrs UTC. Posted on 1 Mar
Armel Le Cléac'h: “An epic race with a great win”
Le Cléac'h is a true Vendée Globe legend Armel Le Cléac'h won the 2016 Vendée Globe and held the Vendée Globe record for eight years. That was until Charlie Dalin came along and finally smashed it out the park this time. Posted on 28 Feb
Complex final miles for the three musketeers
Cousin, Amedeo and Van Weynbergh are into their last days racing in the Vendée Globe The last three skippers competing in the Vendée Globe are into their last days racing. Manuel Cousin (Coup de Pouce, 31st) is expected to finish on Friday. Posted on 25 Feb