IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2024 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - Day 7

A race in a class of its own! The first week of racing at the Vendée already exceeded all expectations: Regular lead changes, record speeds, a compact fleet in which even the non-foilers kept up, inconsistent winds with many options for strategic attacks ! This morning Jean Le Cam FRA (Tout commence en Finistère) was still in the lead with his conventional Open 60. In the meantime, he has also reached the flat transition zone to the trade winds in the far east. Also sailing to the east of the fleet, Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) has moved up to second place, just 13 miles behind Le Cam! The former leaders, on the other hand, are sailing in the far west in fresh northerly winds, but are not making any progress towards the equator and are far behind in the classification. Two-time Paralympic gold medallist Damien Séguin FRA (Groupe Apicil) has moved up to 9th place (58 miles behind), Clarisse Cremer FRA (Occitane) is the best ranked woman in 10th place, 76 miles behind. The 23-year-old Violette Dorange FRA (Devenir) has moved up to 15th place, ahead of Boris Herrmann GER (Malizia - 18th place). The winners of the day also include Oliver Heer SUI (Tut gut), who has moved up to 20th place 169 miles behind, two miles ahead of Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork Team Snef) in 21st place. There are likely to be numerous changes of position again today. Who will reach the trade winds first ? Louis Burton FRA (Bureau Vallée), who was sailing in the top group in the west, reported structural damage with cracks in the deck, it is questionable whether he will be able to continue the race - the report. The race tracker and the reports.