On the day after Christmas, the leading group of the Vendée Globe is travelling a good 2000 nautical miles south of Tahiti on its easterly course towards the longitude of Point Nemo. On the morning of 27 December, the leader Yannick Bestaven has built up a lead of around 70 nautical miles over his pursuer Charlie Dalin ("Apivia"). The comeback king of the day was Thomas Ruyant ("LinkedOut"), who finally benefited from his detour to the north and regained his third place after a temporary drop to tenth place. Boris Herrmann continues to fight for every mile in the long-distance match race duel with "King Jean" Le Cam. Early on Sunday morning, less than two nautical miles separated the fourth-placed 61-year-old Frenchman on "Yes We Cam" and the 39-year-old German "Seaexplorer - Yacht Club de Monaco". Behind them, Damien Seguin ("Groupe Apicil") stalked back and reduced his gap to Herrmann to less than five nautical miles.
Leading Yannick Bestaven is in good spirits on the day after Christmas
The conditions in the South Pacific, described by Boris Herrmann as a "grey world", are challenging in their own way. The billowing wall of high pressure with a north-south orientation was at sea near Point Nemo towards the end of the 49th day and its dominance should soon dissipate. Instead, a small low seems to be developing around Point Nemo, from which skippers could benefit if they position themselves well.
The fleet will not reach Point Nemo itself, but will cross its longitude to the south. The fascinating point lies at 45°52.6 S, 123°23.6 W in the south of the Pacific Ocean. You couldn't be further from land on earth! It was the surveying technician Hrvoje Lukatela who first calculated the point in 1992. It is exactly 2688 kilometres away from the Ducie archipelago, Motu Nui (neighbouring island of Easter Island) and Maher Island in Antarctica. If there is anywhere in the world that gives rise to the feeling of loneliness, Point Nemo is the place.
The fleet still has a good week to sail to Cape Horn. "Reaching it will be my biggest celebration," enthuses Boris Herrmann. In the tough struggle to make the fastest possible progress, the legendary landmark on the Chilean rocky island of Isla Hornos is the great motivator for all circumnavigators. Once they reach it, they can turn left and turn left onto the Atlantic home stretch to the start and finish harbour of Les Sables-d'Olonne. "Once Cape Horn has been passed, we will have completed about 70 per cent of the race," explains Boris Herrmann, "then the Southern Ocean will be behind us and we will be back in much safer waters, and it will soon be warm. So let's get through these next seven days."
Boris Herrmann described his journey on Boxing Day for his younger fans in such delightful terms. On-board cuddly toy Alphonso helped...
In the meantime, the Swiss Alan Roura has solved the keel problems of his "La Fabrique" and in 15th place has resumed the pursuit of Romain Attanasio on "Pure - Best Western Hotels and Resorts" with all his might. Behind him, however, Arnaud Boissières ("La Mie Câline - Artisans Artîpole") and "Medallia" skipper Pip Hare are in a brilliant attacking mood. Jérémie Beyou, who continues to make up ground like he was unleashed, was only able to start again nine days after the fleet after breaking at the start of the race and undergoing lightning repairs in Les Sables-d'Olonne, and has worked his way up to 18th place. He has now reduced the gap to Arnaud Boissières and Pip Hare, who were still a long way behind, to just 400 nautical miles. Both of the hunted know that Beyou remains hungry and dangerous. The most exciting question in the midfield: How far can the 44-year-old from the popular Breton holiday resort of Larmor-Plage still advance with his "Charal"?
He himself said: "I sail better when other people are around me. I look at their averages. It's easier because it gives you an idea of the direction. You can see how everyone is slowing down or speeding up. It helps you manage your positioning better and it also helps psychologically. It's just more fun. When I was able to leave Les Sables-d'Olonne again, one of my biggest worries was being alone. Now I'm doing well in this small group."
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
