A bitter night in the Kalmen has put a serious damper on Boris Herrmann's race to catch up with the leaders. After the German had already reported from on board yesterday afternoon that the wind was very patchy, he was hit hard during the night. With a speed of only 5 knots at times, progress was agonisingly slow after passing the equator. This morning he found himself in seventh place in the rankings, now 139 miles behind the leader Charlie Dalin. Dalin and his shadow Louis Burton are now travelling at 14 knots in the more stable north-easterly trade winds, while Herrmann was travelling at 8.6 knots at 9 o'clock, so the deficit is likely to grow.
Boris Herrmann from the Doldrums
"I underestimated the Doldrums. It looked like we'd have a short lull in the afternoon and then it would continue," said Herrmann in a video from on board yesterday evening. "The night was a struggle, I don't even want to think about the next one ... I should be sailing north, but the wind only allows me to go almost east. I'm stressed. The wind does what it wants." In his desperation, Herrmann even begs the wind god for a stronger breeze.
Louis Burton, Boris Herrmann and Thomas Ruyant have opted for a slightly more westerly course, while Charlie Dalin is travelling over 100 miles further east. It will be interesting to see which route turns out to be the faster one. Half-wind conditions in 15 to 18 knots of wind are now forecast for the next few days. Should Boris Herrmann finally reach these winds, he could perhaps use his speed advantage over "LInkedOut" and "Apivia", both of which are handicapped on the port bow due to a damaged foil, to make up miles.
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
