Offshore Racing

The two-time Paralympic gold medallist Damien Séguin FRA - he sails with only one hand! - is doing well in 16th place, 3,100 miles behind. And this despite an accident with 9 hours of repair work on the foredeck in 25 knots of wind, during which he was thrown against the mast and injured. The report. He recovered well, and only 3 days later, he took advantage of a calmer transition zone for a drone video - the first and so far only one of this Vendée Globe ! ----- The report with drone video.

The match race of the two Ultime trimarans around the globe has begun! Their second attempt, after both trimarans suffered minor damage a month ago after 7 days underway, and canceled the record attempt. After the repairs, François Gabart FRA and Thomas Coville FRA and their teams took advantage of the first favorable weather window. This morning, 2 days after the start, 'SVR Lazartigue' with François Gabart FRA has already reached the Canary Islands, and is 81 miles ahead of the 2017 record (40 D 23 hrs). They are still traveling fast at 35 knots (67 km/h) and have covered 731 miles in 24 hours - the 'SVR Lazartigue' race tracker. 'Sodebo' with Thomas Coville FRA has been underway for 9 hours this morning and already has a small lead of 36 miles - the race tracker 'Sodebo'.

The conditions on the Pacific have now moderated somewhat, and this morning, everyone was traveling in more moderate winds (max 25 knots). Today, the leading trio passes Point Nemo, the most remote place in the world's oceans. ----- Charlie Dalin FRA continues to lead ahead of Yoann Richomme FRA 22 miles behind. Sébastien Simon FRA has to sail again on the bow without a foil, where he is around 5 knots slower than his rivals His deficit has grown to 91 miles. The chasing pack has also lost some distance: Thomas Ruyant FRA is now 830 miles behind in 4th place. 310 miles back, Boris Herrmann GER is now 8th. Justine Mettraux SUI is 11th 1300 miles behind the leader. In the south of Tasmania, Alan Roura SUInow in 17th has also reached the Pacific tonight, taking the lead in his chasing group. Oliver Heer SUI is still 31st. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

Just under two weeks after returning to France, the ultime trimaran SVR Lazartigue (François Gabart FRA) set off yesterday on a second attempt at a round-the-world record. After 30 hours of racing, SVR Lazartigue has already reached the Strait of Gibralatar, but is 8 miles behind the record - the race tracker. And Thomas Coville FRA (Sodebo) will also tackle the circumnavigation today - the race tracker Sodebo.

The leading trio, still sailing close together, continues to benefit from good conditions. ----- Yesterday, Charlie Dalin FRA regained the lead, ahead of Yoann Richomme FRA 31 miles behind in 2nd place this morning, followed by Sébsatien Simon FRA a further 18 miles back. 750 miles in arrears are Thomas Ruyant FRA, Nicolas Lunven FRA and Jérémy Beyou FRA, separated by only 14 miles. Boris Herrmann GER has moved up to 8th place, 1051 miles behind. A further 200 miles back, Justine Mettraux SUI is still 11th. Alan Roura SUI has moved up to 18th. Oli Heer SUI will pass Cape Leeuwin today in 31st place. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

After leading the fleet for almost 3 weeks - with an advance of up to 200 miles - Charlie Dalin FRA lost his top position to Yoann Richomme FRA who continued his shooting fast ride and passed the former leader yesterday. This morning, the two were only 8 miles apart. Sébastien Simon FRA, sailing in 3rd place, also benefited from the southerly winds, which enabled him to sail on his ‘healthy bow’ with foil. He closed the gap to 47 miles. The chasers have moved closer together: a flat zone slowed down the first ones: between Nicolas Lunven FRA, sailing in 4th place, and Justine Mettraux SUI in 11th place, there are only just 350 miles. In the middle, Boris Herrmann GER, who has improved to 9th place and is now 885 miles behind the leader. ----- Alan Roura SUI is still 20th, and he will pass Cape Leeuwin today. Oliver Heer SUI has been sailing close to Kojiro Shiraishi JPN for 3 days and is still 31st. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

While the leading trio is making good progress in the still favourable conditions in the South Pacific and has moved closer together - Charlie Dalin FRA now leads by 44 miles from Yoann Richomme FRA and 129 miles from Sébastien Simon FRA - the chasers are being slowed down by a flat high-pressure wedge: Thomas Ruyant FRA is now 820 miles behind in fourth place and leading the chasing group, Boris Herrmann GER is still 1,000 miles behind in 10th place, Justine Mettraux SUI is a further 100 miles behind in 11th place.
Alan Roura SUI is still 20th, Oliver Heer SUI follows in 32nd place. The race tracker and the reports. During the night Pip Hare GBR, sailing in 15th place, suffered a broken mast and had to abandon the race, as did Szabolcs Weöres HUN, sailing at the very end of the fleet, who is now heading for Cape Town with a broken centre shroud - the report.

South of New Zealand, the leading trio has moved closer together: Charlie Dalin FRA leads Yoann Richomme FRA by just 86 miles and Sébastien Simon FRA has also reduced the gap to 164 miles. Behind them, a huge lull zone has formed, slowing down the chasers and bringing them closer together: Thomas Ruyant FRA in 4th is now 460 miles ahead of the last of this groupe, Clarisse Cremer FRA, in 13th. Boris Herrmann GER in 10th is now 997 miles behind, followed 95 miles back by Justine Mettraux SUI in 11th. Alan Roura SUI is still 20th, and Oliver Heer SUI holds 31st place. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

In the South Pacific, the leading trio continues to benefit from good conditions. Charlie Dalin FRA now leads by 199 miles from Yoann Richomme FRA, who has passed Sébastien Simon FRA. Simon is currently having to sail on the bow where he lost his foil. The chasing group is getting closer and closer together. Thomas Ruyant FRA in 4th place is now 620 miles ahead of Clarisse Cremer FRA in 13th place, with Justine Mettraux SUI in the middle, still close (60 miles) to Boris Herrmann GER in 11th place. As the best non-foiler, Jean Le Cam FRA is still 19th, followed by Alan Roura SUI just 20 miles behind. Oliver Heer SUI - still 31st - benefited from lighter winds to prepare himself and his Open 60 for the next shot: Another storm front with over 30kn will carry him to Cape Leeuwin next week. The race tracker and the reports.

This morning, the second chasing group in particular is struggling with the stormy conditions of the South Indian Ocean. The first 15 are making good progress in moderate conditions of around 20 knots, the first to slow down this morning was the leading Charlie Dalin FRA, Sébastien Simon FRA was able to reduce his gap to 199 miles and Yoann Richomme FRA has also moved a little closer again (261 miles back). Boris Herrmann GER and 40 miles behind Justin Mettraux SUI in 10th and 11th place were able to keep their gap constant at 1225 miles. Alan Roura SUI has avoided the big low-pressure vortex to the north, he is still 20th, Oliver Heer SUI is still 31st. The race tracker and the reports.

Today, the leading Charlie Dalin FRA will reach the Pacific south of Tasmania. In moderate conditions (20 knots) this morning, he is 328 miles ahead of Sébastien Simon FRA. Yoann Richomme FRA is still the fastest underway, only 66 miles behind Simon. With a gap of 1280 miles, Boris Herrmann GER is still 10th. Justine Mettraux SUI, 24 miles behind, can keep up well. Alan Roura SUI overtook Jean Le Cam FRA and is now 19th, only 25 miles behind Isabelle Joschke FRA. Oliver Heer SUI is still 32nd. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

In the south of Australia, Charlie Dalin FRA continues to pull away: He extended his lead over Sébastien Simon FRA to 326 miles. Simon is now only 60 miles ahead of Yoann Richomme FRA, the day's fastest yesterday. Boris Herrmann GER and Justine Mettraux SUI in 10th and 11th place are still sailing close together, separated by just one mile! Their gap is 1166 miles. Alan Roura SUI in 20th place is getting closer and closer to Isabelle Joschke FRA sailing ahead of him and Jean Le Cam FRA - the best non-foiler - not too far away in 18th place. Oliver Heer SUI holds a constant 31st place. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

Charlie Dalin FRA was the first to pass Cape Leuwin on the south-west tip of Australia yesterday. After crossing a flat transition zone, Dalin had to let the chasers move up a little yesterday: Sébastien Simon FRA is now 156 miles behind and Yoann Richomme has also moved up to 309 miles in 3rd place. And the ‘women's group with Boris Herrmann GER' was also able to make up some ground. In 10th place, Herrmann GER is now 1121 miles behind, Justine Mettraux SUI follows 3 miles back. Alan Roura SUI is still 20th with a gap of 2660 miles, Oliver Heer SUI follows in 32nd place with a deficit of 3344 miles. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

Today, the leader Charlie Dalin FRA ('Macif') will pass Cape Leuwin. He has reached a flatter transition zone tonight and lost some of his big lead. Sébastien Simon FRA ('Groupe Dubreuil') reduced his deficit to 178 miles, although one of his foils broke away. He can only finish the race with reduced possibilities. Yoann Richomme FRA ('Paprec-Arkea') in 3rd place is now 378 miles behind. Boris Herrmann GER ('Malizia') and Justine Mettraux SUI ('Teamwork/Team SNEF') are still only 6 miles apart in 10th and 11th place, having reduced their gap to 1243 miles. Alan Roura SUI ('Hublot') improved to 20th place, his gap is 2600 miles. Oliver Heer SUI is 32nd. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

Charlie Dalin FRA and 279 miles behind him Sébastien Simon FRA are chasing eastwards close to the Antarctic Exclusion Zone in still fresh winds and should pass Cape Leuwin on the southwest tip of Australia tomorrow. Yoann Richomme FRA (535 miles behind the leader) and 100 miles farther back him Thomas Ruyant FRA were able to reduce their gap a little. The ‘women's chasing group’ is still led by Justine Mettraux SUI, 1310 miles in arrears. 24 miles behind is Boris Herrmann GER, with Samantha Davis GBR and Clarisse Cremer FRA a further 25 miles behind. Alan Roura SUI moved up to 21st place, Oliver Heer SUI is 32nd. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

Fresh winds and cold temperatures just above freezing continue to dominate in the South Indian Ocean. The leader Charlie Dalin FRA (macif) continued his high-speed ride yesterday and is now 290 miles ahead of Sébastien Simon FRA (Groupe Dubreuil). The gap to Yoann Richomme FRA (Paprec-Arkea) in 3rd place has grown to 533 miles. Jéremy Beyou FRA (Charal) now follows in 5th place, 1026 miles behind, leading a chasing group of 4. The second chasing group is still led by Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Team SNEF), her gap is now 1400 miles. 30 miles behind her is Boris Herrmann GER (malizia), Samantha Davis GBR (Initiatives Coeur) is another 30 miles behind. As the most northerly boat, Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) has dropped a few places and is now 25th, level with Violette Dorange FRA (devenir). Oliver Heer SUI (tut gut) also passed the Cape of Good Hope yesterday, but dropped back to 35th place in fresh winds of around 30 knots. The race tracker and the reports.

Meanwhile, on the South Indian Ocean, almost all the 38 solo skippers remaining in the race have had their first storm baptism in typical South Atlantic conditions with winds of around 40 knots and big waves from various directions. Most of them switch to safety mode... except leader Charlie Dalin FRA, who was able to distance himself from his first pursuer Sébastien Simon FRA by 194 miles within 24 hours. Yoann Richomme FRA in third place is already 508 miles behind. Justine Mettraux SUI ('Teamwork/Team SNEF') is still 10th, 1344 miles in arrears this morning. 70 miles behind is Boris Herrmann GER. Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) is now 21st, Oliver Heer SUI 33rd. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

The Indian Ocean continues to offer varied conditions with several areas of low pressure. The strategy of the two leaders Charlie Dalin FRA (macif) and 62 miles behind him Sébastien Simon FRA (Groupe Dubreuil) continues to work: With their southerly course, they benefited from consistently good wind conditions and were able to pull further away. A stormy day awaits them today with winds of around 40 knots. The chasing trio has lost further ground in the north, their gap has grown to over 300 miles. In the chasing group, Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Team SNEF) was the first to keep going south, her strategy seems to be working. Her lead over 11th place, newly held by Boris Herrmann GER (Malizia) is 100 miles this morning and her wind forecasts for the coming days seem promising ! The battle of the non-foilers is also exciting: The best is Jean Le Cam FRA (Tout commence en Finistère) in 21st place, only 25 miles behind in 22nd is Violette Dorange FRA (Devenir) second best without foils...with the old Open 60 of Jean Le Cam ! Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) was able to improve to 20th place with a gap of 2219 miles, he will pass the Cape of Good Hope this morning. 400 miles behind him, Oliver Heer SUI (tut gut) has moved up to 32nd place. The race tracker and the reports.

Louis Burton FRA (Bureau Vallée) was the first of the 40 participants to have to retire from the race yesterday due to equipment damage. Previously, only Maxime Sorel FRA had to retire due to a foot injury. Burton already had to laminate his Open 60 with carbon on the Canary Islands after a large crack across the deck signalled a break-up. This time it was rigging problems that are apparently irreparable. The report.

The South Indian Ocean currently offers very varied conditions: Instead of the usual ‘motorway of the south’ with constant fresh westerly winds, there are currently three areas of low pressure with peaks of up to 40 knots, but also very flat transition zones in between. At the top, the duo Charlie Dalin FRA (macif) and 37 miles behind him Sébastien Simon FRA (Groupe Dubreuil) were able to pull away thanks to a southerly course. But today they will reach a flat zone, it remains to be seen how much the chasing duo Yoann Richomme FRA (Arkea-Paprec) and Thomas Ruyant FRA (Vulnerable) - both around 300 miles behind - can make up today. Justine Mettraux SUI (Teamwork/Team SNEF) is still the best classified woman in 10th place, 1050 miles behind, thanks to a southerly course she was able to pull 70 miles clear of Samantha Davis GBR (Initiatves Coeur). Boris Herrmann GER (Malizia) follows another 40 miles behind in 12th place. Alan Roura SUI (Hublot) was able to improve to 22nd place, Oliver Heer SUI (tut gut) had to repair his flooded engine yesterday, but was able to hold on to 33rd place. The race tracker and the reports.

After just three days, 'SVR Lazartigue' with François Gabart FRA had to retire yesterday with a damaged foil after a collision with flotsam, followed by 'Sodebo' with Thomas Coville FRA in the afternoon, whose central rudder was torn off the center hull. Both trimarans are on their way back to Lorient and hope that the damage can be repaired in time for a second attempt at the beginning of the year. ----- The report.

François Gabart FRA and his team damaged one of their foils in a collision with flotsam or a whale today and had to abandon their record attempt. The report.

The calm before the storm ! In the South Indian Ocean, the leading group was slowed down. ----- Charlie Dalin FRA ('Macif') is still in the lead, achieving just 10 knots. Sébastien Simon FRA ('Groupe Dubreuil)' 18 miles behind, has chosen a more southerly route crossing the flat zone. On the other hand, Yoann Richomme FRA ('Arkena-Paprec') and Thomas Ruyant FRA ('Vulnerable') have lost a lot in the north. It remains to be seen who will reach fresh winds first. After passing the Cape of Good Hope yesterday, the women's group with Justine Mettraux SUI ('Teamwork/Team SNEF') 10th, just one mile ahead of Samantha Davies GBR ('Initiatives Coeur'), Boris Herrmann GER ('Malizia') 5 miles back, and Clarisse Cremer FRA ('L'Occitane') 40 miles behind Herrmann is chasing the top group. Today the bulck of the fleet will reach the Cape .... amidst a front with winds up to 40kn! A first for the 23-year-old Violette Dorange FRA ('devenir') ! Alan Roura SUI ('Hublot') is still 23rd, Oliver Heer SUI ('tut gut') continues to make good progress in 33rd place. Oliver Heer SUI (tut gut) continues to make good progress in 33rd place. ----- The race viewer and the reports.

With daily distances of around 800 miles, both trimarans are traveling rapidly toward the equator. At the height of the Cape Verde islands, both have reached the trade winds and will soon cross the equator. Compared to the record journey of Francis Joyon FRA ('IDEC'), both are 200 miles behind. The race tracker from 'SVR Lazartigues' and from 'Sodebo'.

The December issue of the World Sailing Federation's monthly video magazine features a report on the Annual Meeting and the honoring of the World Sailors of the Year. The Vendée Globe, the season opener of the F50 catamarans, the Middlesea Race, and the World Championship of the new RS Venture disabled class are also in the spotlight. ----- The report.

Inconsistent winds in the South Indian Ocean also led to position changes at the top yesterday: ----- This morning, Charlie Dalin FRA ('Macif') is back in the lead, Sébastien Simon FRA ('Groupe Dubreuil') follows in second place 23 miles back, and Yoann Richomme FRA ('Paprec-Arkea') follows in third place 27 miles behind. The usual fresh westerly winds are only expected to set in on Wednesday and further accelerate the race. The chasers have lost more miles. The ‘women's group’ will pass the Cape of Good Hope this morning. In 10th place is Samantha Davis ('Initatives Coeur'), 1174 miles back, and 75 miles behind follows Justine Mettraux SUI ('Teamwork/Team SNEF') in 11th place. 12 and 30 miles behind are Boris Herrmann GER ('Malizia') and Clarisse Cremer FRA ('L'occitane') respectively. Alan Roura SUI ('Hublot') is still 23rd, Oliver Heer SUI ('tut gut') follows in 33rd place. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

With 694 miles in 24 hours ('SVR Lazartigue') and 674 miles ('Sodebo') respectively, the two Ultime Trimarans made good progress yesterday and are already approaching the Canary Islands after just under 2 days. However, Francis Joyon FRA ('IDEC') made even faster progress on his record journey 7 years ago and was 170 miles faster. ----- The race tracker from 'SVR Lazartigues' and from 'Sodebo'.

The fleet continued to stretch out yesterday, and the leading group benefited from good wind conditions. So far, only 9 of the 39 remaining competitors have rounded the Cape of Good Hope. ----- Yoann Richomme FRA ('Paprec-Arkea') is now back in the lead, followed only 3 miles behind by Charlie Dalin FRA ('Macif'). In the chasing group, Samantha Davis GBR ('Initiatives Coeur') - in 10th place and now 1080 miles behind - has lost some of her lead in the ‘women's race’: Justine Mettraux SUI ('Teamwork/Team Snef)', in 11th place, is now 150 miles back. Just 7 miles behind the Swiss, Boris Herrmann GER ('Malizia') is now 12th, with Clarisse Cremer FRA ('L'Occitane') following 2 more miles behind. Alan Roura SUI ('Hublot') has moved up to 23rd place, Oliver Heer SUI ('tut gut') is now 33rd. ----- The race tracker and the reports.

12 hours after ‘Sodebo’ with Thomas Coville FRA, François Gabart FRA (SVR Lazartigue) also started his record attempt yesterday afternoon. Both Ultime trimarans are sailing briskly at speeds of around 30 knots (58 km/h), but are already some way behind the record set by the IDEC trimaran. The race trackers from Sodebo (with news and videos) and from SVR Lazartigue on which both trimarans are displayed.

Yesterday evening, the top quartet rounded the Cape of Good Hope. ----- The first to do so was Charlie Dalin FRA ('Macif'), who took 19 days and 3 hours. This morning Yoann Richomme FRA ('Paprec-Arkea') took over the lead, only 1.5 miles behind him Sébastien Simon FRA ('Groupe Dubreuil') moved up to 2nd place. Charlie Dalin FRA is in 3rd place, 6.5 miles behind. Samantha Davis GBR ('Initiatives Coeur') leads the ‘women's race’ in 10th place, 738 miles behind, 250 miles ahead of Clarisse Cremer FRA ('L'Occitane') and Justine Mettraux SUI ('Teamwork/Team Snef') in 11th and 12th place. Boris Herrmann GER ('Malizia') is 13th, Alan Roura SUI ('Hublot') remained in 25th place. Oliver Heer SUI ('tut gut') - now in 35th place - committed himself to science yesterday by deploying a measuring buoy. ----- The race tracker and the reports.