New week, new luck? The second Vendée Globe weekend was expensive for Boris Herrmann. The "Malizia - Seaexplorer" skipper dropped back to 33rd place and 264 nautical miles behind leader Sam Goodchild on Monday night. In his BLog for the YACHT Boris himself had attested to "not having the best hand" tactically. The situation is "not catastrophic", but "you can see the two 'Vulnerable' boats with a fairly comfortable lead now".
As Boris Herrmann said on Sunday, we will have to see how things turn out "in two or three days when we reach the trade winds". Very early on Monday morning, Boris Herrmann was able to make up 15 nautical miles and five places within a few hours and was in 28th place at the 7 o'clock update on the morning of the eighth day of the Vendée Globe. Boris Herrmann also said: "I'm very confident for the south, even if I'm a few hundred nautical miles behind. I should be able to catch up again."
Vendée Globe: the slow play continues
While the front runners, who had been given a head start, faltered somewhat on Monday morning in what are currently very light winds of around two to five knots, the chasing groups were able to make up further ground on Monday morning in slightly more pressure of around seven to nine knots. For the chasers, the high pressure ridge that the leaders Sam Goodchild ("Vulnerable"), Sebastien Simon ("Groupe Dubreuil") and Goodchild's team boss Thomas Ruyant ("Vulnerable") will have to overcome on Monday morning could be a little narrower.
However, the heavily swollen gap will not be reduced so easily. Around 150 to 170 nautical miles behind Sam Goodchild, the three co-race favourites Charlie Dalin (12th), Jérémie Beyou (18th) and Yoann Richomme (19th) were also fighting to catch up with the leading trio of Goodchild, Simon and Ruyant.
"The weather data doesn't really correspond with reality and Sam did really well," said Justine Mettraux from Switzerland, who was in 17th place on Monday morning. In more detail, the "TeamWork - Team Snef" skipper said: "Sam was able to capitalise on the wind shifts at the right time instead of waiting for a change in the wind in the long term. Some of us were waiting for a wind shift that was a long time coming. I've only had it since last night."
Sam Goodchild impresses on the Atlantic
"Stand as One - Altavia" skipper Eric Bellion, who was in 24th place on Monday morning, also paid tribute to the 34-year-old "Vulnerable" skipper Sam Goodchild from Bristol: "Sam Goodchild is Sam Goodchild. In my prediction, I said that he would be the first foreigner to win the Vendée Globe." Bellion justified his statement as follows: "Even when the winds are unstable, he manages to use the local effects to his advantage and stretch out the rubber band."
The much-praised man himself remained reserved as usual. In his Sunday video, he can be seen in front of the sunset. Sam Goodchild talks about the weather ("We had squalls, wind, rain"), about the little things in everyday life ("I was able to shower for the first time and change my T-shirt") and about what's coming up next ("We're going south"). He doesn't say a word about his top position. Goodchild assured that "everything is fine". He is "happy to be here".
While the sailors are getting used to the idea that this regatta is of enormous length, the last few light windy days have helped them to get used to life on the sea and also to cope with saying goodbye to families and friends and loved ones. "It took me a while to get into the race," explained Damien Seguin ("Apicil Group") at the weekend.
I am happy. I am where I want to be. I feel extremely privileged... And I'm having a blast!" Eric Bellion
The 48-year-old sailor, author, filmmaker and TV columnist Eric Bellion also spoke from the heart of many Vendée Globe soloists when he said: "The sadness I felt when I left my family took up a lot of space. It prevented me from being who I was. I had to be extra vigilant and do things very simply because a part of me wasn't there. Now that's behind me."
