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 (ChemineĚes Poujoulat) there remain only 12 boats in the race. The skipper of ChemineĚes 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 UnaiĚ Bazurko. Leaders soon will be in the tradewinds The duel between MACIF and Banque Populaire is now stalled by light airs.
Single-handed Yuletide Southern Ocean
Close to the hypothetical half-way mark Francois Gabart (MACIF) and Armel Le CleĚacâh (Banque Populaire) lead the VendeĚe Globe 2012/13 race. After separating briefly on Saturday, Francois Gabart (MACIF) and Armel Le CleĚacâh (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 CleĚacâh. 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 nightâŚ
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 CleĚacâh (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 VendeĚe Globe.