The 9th edition of the Vendée Globe remains exciting right up to the finish: Behind leader Charlie Dalin, who only had 261 nautical miles to sail to the finish at 4 a.m. on 27 January, the chasers have formed up for the final sprint. They had already determined their positions days ago. While Dalin and Boris Herrmann, who was only 49 nautical miles behind him in the very early morning, sought their fortune off Cape Finisterre, the "North Group" made up ground again in their race to catch up on Wednesday night. From the last to the current position report, Yannick Bestaven in particular was able to get closer to the lead, reducing his deficit to Charlie Dalin by an impressive 57.5 nautical miles within six hours in better winds and maintaining his chances of victory with a view to his time credit of 10 hours and 15 minutes as a result of his involvement in the rescue mission for Kevin Escoffier in the South Atlantic.
On the water, "Apivia" skipper Charlie Dalin is almost 50 nautical miles ahead of Boris Herrmann in the final nautical miles of the race around the world. But the race to catch up with his pursuers Boris Herrmann, Louis Burton, Thomas Ruyant and Yannick Bestaven is furious. In the battle for the crown, 36-year-old Dalin from Concarneau in Brittany currently has to fear 48-year-old Yannick Bestaven ("Maître Coq IV") from La Rochelle, who has come dangerously close to him, including his time credit.
Boris Herrmann, who is in a strong second place in the race, is also still fighting for a podium place, having made up 23.2 nautical miles on Dalin from the last to the current position report in the early morning and is more than close to his secret dream of finishing in the top five before the race. The 39-year-old from Hamburg's HafenCity is allowed to deduct six hours from his total sailing time at the finish due to his involvement in the Escoffier rescue mission in the South Atlantic and could - depending on the course of the chase behind him - still finish on the podium. Even Jean Le Cam, who is also catching up and is in eighth place, is not yet completely out of the race for a top place with his 16 hours and 15 minutes. It could be a matter of minutes for the top five in the final standings.
The skippers involved in this sailing thriller would all be worthy winners. Over 80 days and nights so far, they have offered millions of spectators the most thrilling of all Vendée Globe editions since the premiere in 1989/1990 and have characterised the race with their strengths and weaknesses. Boris Herrmann was already the winner of hearts in his home country before crossing the finish line. By the day after this spectacular final, more than 20,000 written news items, reports and features will have been published about the young family man and his team Malizia in Europe alone. DSV President Mona Küppers, who shared Herrmann's excitement during the day and even some of the nights, said: "I can't remember a time when sailing was as prominent in the media as it is now with regard to Boris Herrmann. He is a stroke of luck for German sailing, a symbol and role model for a new generation."
"Like a child at Christmas": On the last nautical miles, Boris Herrmann gives deep insights into his state of mind
Boris Herrmann himself headed for the finish line with determination, but was not unimpressed by the thrilling final act. As he sailed towards Les Sables-d'Olonne in the fog on the evening of the 79th day, he said: "The final miles! I'm honestly a bit excited. It feels a bit strange: We've committed to this side while the other guys are sailing north. It's so hard to predict. I can only sail as well as I can. You can't do much more than pick a smart moment to gybe, take your sail a bit tighter, be a bit more efficient here and there. That's it. The die is cast, the cards have actually been on the table for a while. I think these are the most exciting moments I've ever imagined. It's more exciting than I would wish for. I don't know if I've ever been this excited. Like a child at Christmas."
The showdown in the Bay of Biscay is imminent, will take place this evening and should be decided by the morning of 28 January. How the choice of the more direct, shorter course on the part of Dalin and Herrmann or the decision in favour of the longer but faster northern route for Louis Burton ("Bureau Vallée 2"), Thomas Ruyant ("LinkedOut") and Yannick Bestaven will pay off will be decided overnight. Good to know for fans: as soon as the leading boat is only 200 nautical miles away from the finish line, the position reports on the Vendée Globe website will be updated every 30 minutes. If the leader is only 60 nautical miles from the line off Les Sables-d'Olonne, the updates will come every five minutes. The race organisers have extended the finish line from 0.3 to 1.9 nautical miles in accordance with Article 9.1 of the Sailing Instructions due to the possible simultaneous arrival of several boats. Former competitor Yann Eliès said: "And now we are here. We just have to be patient and wait to see what happens until the first boats cross the finish line. Let the magic of the sport work."
