The Eistor Porte Crozet has produced another change in the lead at the Vendée Globe. After Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) took the lead on Friday night, François Gabart on "Macif" was able to position himself better on the approach to the Eistor and was the first to dive south into the Southern Ocean again.
"Macif" sailed through the Eistor at 11.46 UTC. "We were all alone there," jokes skipper François Gabart. "No spectators, no race committee, nobody. Could have been because it was pitch black," says Gabart. The approach to the ice gate cost the 29-year-old Frenchman a lot of energy, and he will now rest up in order to be able to face the upcoming rigours of the Southern Ocean reasonably fresh.
Armel Le Cléac'h on the rise
However, Armel Le Cléac'h was already lurking there with his "Banque Populaire". After Le Cléac'h had already reached Porte Corzet on the morning of 6 December in a far easterly position, Le Cléac'h initially had to sail with significantly weaker winds than his direct pursuers (Stamm, Gabart, Dick, Thomson). However, the early push to the south could now pay off: "Banque Populaire" currently has more wind than Gabart and Co. in the north. Is another change of leadership imminent?
Good news from Marc Guillemot
Meanwhile, there is good news to report from Marc Guillemot: During an appearance on a web TV broadcast from the Paris boat show, the skipper of the damaged "Safran" revealed that he will be back in Imoca action in 2013. According to Guillemot, his team, which also includes his parents, is currently working hard to ensure that "Safran" can return optimally prepared for the 2013 season. "Safran" had lost its keel after the start of this year's Vendée, but did not capsize and was brought back to Les Sables d'Olonne safely by the skipper with great effort.
