SAILING: Still stalled, the leader of the Vendée Globe Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire) sees Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) return to full speed …
Still stalled, the leader of the Vendée Globe Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire) sees Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) return to full speed. With a higher average speed, the Welshman is now less than 200 miles from the Breton. With the weather conditions difficult for the leader, things could be completely different in the coming days also for Beyou (Maître Coq) currently in 3rd! The latter could take the opportunity to make up ground on the leading duo.
What could make Armel Le Cléac’h ( Banque Populaire ) slow so much? Weather with low winds and therefore a speed which decreases progressively. The Breton skipper stays on an average speed of 8 knots. An ordeal for him since before his arrival in the area, Banque Populaire was over 20 knots. Circumstances that benefit Alex Thomson ( Hugo Boss ) since the Welshman is just 194 miles from the leader. The duel continues between the two men .
Behind them Beyou ( Maître Coq ) could enjoy totally different conditions from those of Breton in the same area. A situation that can allow him to make up ground (there is a 1300 mile gap on Le Cléac’h). Driven by a southwest flow, the skipper will pick up speed. Behind him, Jean-Pierre Dick ( Saint-Michel-Virbac ) sees the duo Jean Le Cam ( Finistère Sea Wind ) – Yann Elies ( Quéguiner – Leukemia Hope ) come back on him.
In the pack, both skippers have decided to make a technical stop unassisted off New Zealand. The Irishman Enda O’Coineen ( Kilcullen Travel-Team Ireland ) wishes to make a complete overhaul before crossing the Pacific, as Sébastien Destremau ( TechnoFirst-faceOcéan )
