The last few days in the Pacific were tough - hard tacking against the wind in brutal conditions. I'm relieved to have left the Pacific behind me. Honestly, I've had enough of it. I can't bear to see it any more. It was rough and I've put it behind me. It was tough, but it's enough now.
Cape Horn, the rock itself, remains positive for me, of course!" Boris Herrmann
Every round is different, a different experience. I wasn't in such a good mood on the morning of my round this time. I was more introverted for a few days and didn't miss Christmas that much. Everything was okay sailing-wise. I just needed my focus here because the erratic winds were exhausting.
Vendée Globe: Different weather windows, different races
As already announced: I felt the transition (ed.: from one ocean to the other) more than the conditions actually changed then. In the sea and wind conditions later in the day. We have now arrived in the South Atlantic and have passed the island to the east.
I was asked whether I think it's unfair that the different groups in the top ten sail in such different weather windows that you can't compare them directly. But it is the case for almost the entire race that the position in the respective weather conditions characterises and decides the race.
You're no longer in a race against the leaders, I'm in a race against Paul, Sam and Justine - and that's it. (Editor: "Biotherm" skipper Paul Meilhat was just ahead of Boris Herrmann in the afternoon of 29 December. Behind "Malizia - Seaexplorer" in ninth and tenth place were "Vulnerable" skipper Sam Goodchild and Justine Mettraux on "TeamWork - Team Snef").
Focus on the direct Vendée Globe competition
Everyone else is travelling in other weather zones. Even Nico with "Holcim - PRB" and Jérémie with "Charal", I would say, are already a bit out of reach. You simply have to focus on the direct competitors. Then there are these big dynamics that develop and play out over long periods of time. With the shifting of the constellations and the weather systems, so that the groups perhaps arrange themselves differently once again.
However, this is not necessarily my own fault, but is due to the weather dynamics. I take a relatively sober view of the coming time in the race. I don't think there are many options opening up right now. Sam Goodchild drew a cool opportunity last night with the Le Maire road and the current he had from behind, I think. I myself just want to get home and do the job well. Then we'll do the maths at the finish.
I would be cautiously pessimistic and say: I would be happy with ninth place. If I can hold Justine, I would be happy. Paul Meilhat and Sam Goodchild, who sail on sister ships, are incredibly strong in these transitional winds, upwind, reaching, in light winds and in flat seas. They are also faster than some of the favourite boats. You don't really stand a chance if you're honest.
Team challenges are perhaps even more appealing to me." Boris Herrmann
The two will pass each other in the next 24 hours (editor's note: Paul Meilhat has already fulfilled this prediction by Boris Herrmann in the early afternoon). But you're not immune to positive surprises either... Another question was whether team challenges will appeal to me more in the future?
Prefer solo or in a team?
Yes, the team challenges really appeal to me anyway, maybe even more. But I'm definitely still keen on solo races. This Vendée Globe is not a bad experience. I had a good match. It's a great level with the people, great boats, great skippers. My result so far is respectable. If it stays like this until the finish, I can't say anything.
When Andi Robertson asked me on the Vendée Live! programme how many more Cape Horn passages I wanted to do, I answered 'maybe ten in total'. I definitely have my sights set on another Ocean Race in the medium and long term. And maybe also a Vendée Globe. And then maybe some expedition sailing trips to the Antarctic.
The Atlantic still lies ahead of us. I think we sailed home in the last Vendée Globe with great conditions in 23 days. My tip for our arrival in Les Sables-d'Olonne this time would be 23 January, but that's still quite a while away.
Wishes for the new year
One issue that came up again this week was the mastlocks, which are causing problems on some boats. Yes, they are still causing problems. I also had problems with a mastlock. I haven't talked much about it, but when we're up there in the mast I'm sure we'll be able to see why there was this problem. I don't know yet. All we can say for now is that something needs to happen with the mastlocks. No-one seems to be immune to these problems. Me neither.
There are three days left until New Year's Eve. Then comes the new year. My wishes for 2025? I would like a little more peace and quiet, I would like to be with myself a little more. And I'd like to have a zest for life in 2025. It doesn't have to be so much action. We have the Ocean Race Europe and a few other plans. It will be a year of transition before what comes next.
