New York Vendée: Boris Herrmann tidy, Charlie Dalin satisfied, the rest just kind of happy

Since yesterday afternoon, Charlie Dalin, the skipper of the Verdier design "Macif", has been pulling away almost unstoppably. And with each hourly position report, his lead is growing - over his closest rival, Boris Herrmann, as well as over his pursuers.

With less than 1,400 nautical miles to Les Sables-d'Olonne, the man from Le Havre is now almost 450 miles ahead of the group to the south. Almost like a preliminary decision, even if a lot can still happen.

But "Malizia - Seaexplorer" skipper Boris Herrmann is only just 240 miles behind Dalin, and he has covered more distance in the past 24 hours. Now the man from Hamburg is on the orbit that will take him around the core of the high, on the back of which he should find fast space sheeting conditions. So far, he has been doing an excellent job. In the morning, the 43-year-old from Hamburg was still logging 10 knots over ground.

Boris Herrmann explains his radical strategy at the New York Vendée

In a worth seeing video from board he explained his strategy that night. His route "definitely has more risk" than the one further south by Charlie Dalin. It was not a bet, but "the best decision I could make based on the information and programmes available to me".

Boris appears extremely tidy and clear in his analysis. He is fully aware of the risks, he said. High pressure areas could block his path today, just as they could in two days' time to the west of the Irish coast. "But at some point you have to make a decision." There was an alertness in his eyes that is simply astonishing after the hardships and uncertainties he has faced so far.

And there is a renewed desire to play this chess game on the water that has not been seen for so long. That alone commands respect, but even more so is the fact that he is still in the race for victory and ready to stake out his course on his own. If he hadn't proved long ago that he is one of the best Imoca skippers in the world - this would be a moment to speak of a masterly performance, or at least a test of maturity, regardless of the eventual outcome. Boris will cross the finish line as a different person than the one he started as in New York: more self-confident, clearer, mentally stronger.

Charlie Dalin far ahead, the pursuers catch up

Charlie Dalin knows that it's not over yet. He commented on his lead in a conspicuously reserved manner. "He hadn't been far away" from getting stuck in the trough, which he was able to overcome almost simultaneously with Boris at the weekend. "Today, of course, it's a nice lead. It's an incredible situation. You don't often have moments like this in a career!" He is currently sailing in conditions that suit his boat. "So things are going pretty well."

In the south, Yoann Richomme has worked his way up the rankings. He is now in P3, mainly because he is sailing closer to the great circle course. The winner of the outward regatta will have to hold his own against tough competition in his group, which includes ten other boats - including several current designs.

Three other foilers who previously seemed to have been left far behind made a remarkable comeback: Maxime Sorel ("V&B Mayenne"), Yannick Bestaven ("Maître Coq") and Romain Attanasio ("Fortinet Best Western", Boris' old "Malizia") have closed to within 150 miles of the chasing pack. However, they run the risk of getting caught in a high pressure zone again.

Go to the tracker with the current data and positions of the New York Vendée here!

Boris Herrmann explains his northern strategy at the New York Vendée: