Will he make it or won't he? The question of whether Boris Herrmann can reach the low-pressure area that is developing north of Rio de Janeiro off Brazil and could very quickly carry the leading boats to the Cape of Good Hope has kept sailors, fans and experts busy over the past few days. On Saturday morning, hopeful news came from the race organisers of the 10th Vendée Globe in France.
Top 16 could reach Vendée Globe Express
Early on Saturday morning, the race organisers assumed "that the 16 best sailors would have the advantage of catching the low pressure area". As things stood on Saturday morning, this would clearly include Boris Herrmann, who was in 13th place at the time. Although the "Malizia - Seaexplorer" skipper was one of the three slowest boats in the top 16 over 24 hours with an average speed of 16.81 knots, the race organisers' assumption even extended down to Romain Attanasio ("Fortinet - Best Western") in 16th place.
Boris Herrmann's gap to leader Charlie Dalin had widened to 178.23 nautical miles at the end of the 13th day at sea. The 43-year-old had expected this in view of the stronger winds for the leading boats. However, the latest forecasts give him and those behind him, Benjamin Dutreux ("Guyot Environnement - Water Family"), Pip Hare ("Medallia") and Romain Attanasio, new courage.
Vendée Globe leaders travelling fast
The race organisers assumed on Saturday morning that the front runners could already benefit on Sunday from the first effects of the depression that has formed near the Brazilian coast. It could drive the leading group to the Cape of Good Hope very quickly. Nevertheless, it also went on to say: "Those at the back of the leading group will have to work hard to gain this advantage".
After the gaps between the leading boats and their pursuers had widened by the morning of 23 November, race director Hubert Lemmonier reported from his night watch: "From Charlie Dalin to Romain Attanasio, all the sailors have reached average speeds of 16 to 18 knots." Since crossing the equator, which has now also been crossed by the German-French Isabelle Joschke on "Macsf" and Louis Burton on the repaired "Bureau Vallée", the boats have been benefiting more and more from the trade winds.
Boris, Ben, Pip and Romain have to fight
They all have just one goal: to benefit from the low-pressure area that is forming off the Brazilian coast and can boost anyone who reaches it on the Cape of Good Hope course. "It will form gradually, with the first ones likely to encounter stronger winds as early as Saturday night on Sunday," explains Lemonnier.
Who will actually reach the train on time? The chasing group consisting of Boris Herrmann (Malizia-Seaexplorer, 13th), Benjamin Dutreux ("Guyot-Environnement", 14th), Pipe Hare ("Medallia", 15th) and Romain Attanasio ("Fortinet - Best Western", 16th) are now more optimistic that they can make it. However, according to the race organisers, they will have to "maintain a solid pace".
"Paprec Arkéa" skipper Yoann Richomme was in fifth place on Saturday morning. The new 24-hour solo monohull record holder (551.84 nautical miles) also explained the slight "regrouping" in the top ten: "We got into a windless zone in the afternoon." The current pecking order in the top ten boats: Charlie Dalin leads ahead of the two "Vulnerable" skippers Thomas Ruyant and Sam Goodchild, who have fallen some 30 and 40 nautical miles behind the fast "Macif Santé Prévoyance" skipper.
The real gateway to good hope
They were followed by Sebastien Simon ("Groupe Dubreuil"), Yoann Richomme and defending champion Yannick Bestaven ("Maître Coq V") with gaps of around 51, 53 and 64 nautical miles. In seventh to tenth place were Jérémie Beyou ("Charal"), Nicolas Lunven ("Holcim - PRB"), Paul Meilhat ("Biotherm") and Justine Mettraux ("TeamWork - Team Snef"). Sam Davies ("Initiatives - Cœur") and Clarisse Crémer ("L'Occitane en Provence") were positioned ahead of Boris Herrmann in eleventh and twelfth place.
A gap of 50 nautical miles had opened up between the top twelve and the group of boats in 13th to 16th place led by Boris Herrmann by the 7 o'clock update on Saturday morning. The chasing boats want to close this gap as quickly as possible. If they reach the low point, they have every chance of doing so.
Yoann Richomme said: "The now famous low pressure area will allow us to get a little south-east on our course. And then we will branch off onto the next one. This is the real gateway to good hope in fast and again quite pleasant conditions! There is little variation at the moment. We have few adjustments, it's rather calm, almost monotonous. But it's not that bad!"
Ready for the Vendée Globe Express southwards
Nevertheless, the "Paprec Arkéa" skipper was longing for change: "I'm looking forward to tackling weather conditions that are a little faster. I feel ready for what's coming next!"
His dream island! Boris Herrmann sent this snapshot from the sea on Friday evening:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
