Single-handed Yacht Race Leaders Soon in Tradewinds
The duel between leaders in the Vendee Globe round-the-world race, 'MACIF' and 'Banque Populaire' stalls in light airs. With the official abandonment of Bernard Stamm (ChemineÌes Poujoulat) there remain only 12 boats in the race. The skipper of ChemineÌes Poujoulat pitstopped last night on the island of Horn refuelled, charged his batteries, climbed the mast to change a halyard, and to eat some pork and lentils prepared by the girlfriend of UnaiÌ Bazurko. Leaders soon will be in the tradewinds The duel between MACIF and Banque Populaire is now stalled by light airs.
Yacht Race Leaders: Cape of Good Hope by New Year?
Vendee Globe leaders Armel Le CleÌacâh and his long time running partner François Gabart passed into the Pacific Ocean 9 days ago. As was widely predicted, the twosome have finally been slowed through today. It has been the two skippers which are chasing hard behind, Jean-Pierre Dick and Alex Thomson, who have finally been granted the chance to shine. Dick and Thomson are riding up on a fast moving low pressure system which will ultimately reach and rescue the two leaders fromâŠ
Single-handed Yuletide Southern Ocean
Close to the hypothetical half-way mark Francois Gabart (MACIF) and Armel Le CleÌacâh (Banque Populaire) lead the VendeÌe Globe 2012/13 race. After separating briefly on Saturday, Francois Gabart (MACIF) and Armel Le CleÌacâh (Banque Populaire) were back together on Sunday slanting towards the West Pacific gate, 650 miles away. Gabart is just 3.4 miles ahead and 25 miles south of Le CleÌacâh. Their present speed in a northwest wind, averaging the fastest in the fleet, with Gabart making 20.5 knots over the last four hours.
Vendee Leaders Clock 480+ Miles on 30th Race Day
Armel Le Cléacâh, FRA (Banque Populaire) leads the standings in this epic world circumnavigation single-handed race. As they roll seamlessly into their 30th day at sea racing, miles tumbling quickly hour by hour on the heels of strong, 25-30 kts NWâly winds, the Vendée Globe leaders are consistently returning top speeds but also still proving how closely matched the top of the fleet is. Holder of two 24 hours speed records Jean-Pierre Dick has been the quickest through the nightâŠ
Vendee Globe Race Yachts in Albatross Seas
The first five in the Vendee Glove single-handed race 2012-13 have passed the Gate of Aiguilles The gap widens between the front and back of the fleet. Only 30 minutes. This is the gap that separated the first boat through the Gate of Aiguilles, François Gabart (MACIF) and the third boat, Armel Le CleÌacâh (Banque Populaire); a metaphorical photo finish in a race that covers 24,000 miles. It is incredible that the boats are racing so tightly. At 0400 GMT, this morning, there was only a mere 14 miles separating the three leaders in this nail biting edition of the 2012 VendeÌe Globe.
Vendée Globe Challenge Leader Through the Doldrums?
Is leading yacht 'Armel Le Cléacâh' (Banque Populaire) through the Doldrums already? You might think so looking at the speeds. Earlier Le Cléacâh was making just 1.8 knots but now heâs flying along at 9.1 knots and has headed south-west. In the only change since the last ranking at 1600hrs (French time), Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec 3) moved past Francois Gabart (Macif) into second â albeit with only 0.9 miles between them - and was averaging 5 knots compared to Gabartâs 3.3. If Cléacâh is through, the race to catch the first low-pressure weather system south into the Roaring 40s is on.
