After enduring over 87 days at sea, the eleven sailors still competing in the Vendée Globe are nearing the much-anticipated finish line. Guirec Soudée, sailing for Freelance.com, is expected to arrive late Friday night into Saturday, while a closely packed group of four sailors—Louis Duc, Violette Dorange, Kojiro Shiraishi, and Sébastien Marsset—battle it out for position. Further back, some sailors still face the unpredictable weather challenges of the Atlantic.
On Thursday, Guirec Soudée passed Cape Finisterre, making good progress through the Bay of Biscay with wind speeds of 20 to 25 knots. This final push marks a crucial phase as he nears the end of his months-long journey at sea.
About 500 miles behind, Louis Duc, representing Fives Group – Lantana Environnement, leads a group that includes Violette Dorange (Devenir), Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG Mori Global One), and Sébastien Marsset (FOUSSIER). Despite a minor technical issue with his boat's daggerboard, Duc and his companions are vying for the best possible finish, navigating through technical challenges and shifting weather conditions.
Louis Duc remains undeterred, stating, "We have some work ahead, as the weather is not allowing us a direct route. We're facing a low-pressure system followed by a high-pressure ridge... The competition will be fierce until the very end, adding some spice to our fight. I'm committed to giving it my all and also to enjoying these last few days."
Sébastien Marsset, meanwhile, has opted for a more southern route due to unfavorable conditions, setting the stage for a dramatic finale to this intense race.
As the finish line draws closer, the sailors oscillate between eagerness to conclude their voyage and a desire to savor their final moments at sea. Louis Duc, after four years of preparation and a dream spanning twenty years, shares, "As we approach the finish, the anticipation builds. It's been quite some time since we've been on the water... I've been dreaming of this for 20 years, preparing for it for four... I'm eager to finish strong!"
Violette Dorange and Jingkun Xu of the Singchain Team Haikou also express a mix of nostalgia and anticipation, with Dorange saying, "I'm very eager to see my loved ones again."
Further back in the fleet, skippers like Éric Bellion (Stand as One – Altavia, out of the race) and Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier) are dealing with a strong depression south of the Azores. Oliver Heer (Tut Gut.) and Jingkun Xu face less powerful trade winds but must contend with rough seas and intense heat.
At the back, Fabrice Amedeo, Manuel Cousin (Coup de Pouce), and Denis Van Weynbergh (D’Ieteren Group) sail along the Brazilian coast at moderate speeds. For Amedeo, the South Atlantic trade winds finally provide some relief, "Now, it's finally smooth sailing, up to the Canaries or even to the Azores. It's a bit tedious but these miles are a welcome relief."
This gripping conclusion to the Vendée Globe promises a few more twists and turns before the sailors reach their final destination, each moment filled with strategic decisions and personal reflections on an epic journey across the seas.
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