Dalin and Bestaven go head to head as crazy Vendee Globe heats up
Issued on: 3 min
Paris (AFP)
French skippers Yannick Bestaven and Charlie Dalin played cat and mouse on Wednesday at the head of a tightly-knit leading group in an absorbing solo round-the-world Vendee Globe.
After more than two months at sea and the finish in France a mere 4,388 nautical miles away (8,146 kilometres), the leaders are heading north in the Atlantic towards the Equator with the top six separated by fewer than 100nm.
Since Dalin in Apivia overhauled Bestaven s Maitre Coq IV on Tuesday, for the first time since Christmas Day, the two have traded top spot. At 1400 GMT Wednesday, Dalin held a 10nm advantage but, travelling to the east of his rival, had the better wind.
By AFP - Agence France Presse January 12, 2021 Print Article
French skipper Charlie Dalin is back in the lead of the Vendee Globe but only just Loic VENANCE Text size
The solo round-the-world Vendee Globe is heading for an exciting finish with new leader Charlie Dalin in Apivia just four nautical miles ahead of previous leader Yannick Bestaven on Tuesday with another six boats within 100nm.
Dalin overtook Bestaven, who had led in Maitre Coq IV for over a month and was over 400nm in front last week, on Monday evening but soon ran into the lack of wind that had becalmed his rival over the last four days.
Bestaven expoits winds to open up big lead in Vendee Globe
Issued on: 3 min
Paris (AFP)
French skipper Yannick Bestaven took advantage of some generous winds to extend his lead to 430 nautical miles in the solo round-the-world Vendee Globe on Thursday.
Bestaven accelerated north into the Atlantic, often at 20 knots overnight, after connecting with the strong south-easterly on Wednesday, while his pursuers were struggling to hit 10 knots.
AT 1700GMT Thursday, the skipper of Maitre Coq IV was around 550 miles east of Buenos Aires, well clear of the chasing group which is headed by Charlie Dalin onboard Apivia who retook second place ahead of Thomas Ruyant on LinkedOut.
Bestaven passes Cape Horn and steers for home with Vendee lead
Issued on:
02/01/2021 - 19:48 2 min
Paris (AFP)
Vendee Globe leader Yannick Bestaven rounded Cape Horn on Saturday afternoon and can turn for home in the round-the- world race. Cape Horn, yeah! yelled Bestaven, punching the air in a video from his boat. I can put the left-turn indicator on. I m going home.
At 1700 GMT, Bestaven, in Maitre Coq IV was 158.8 (294.4km) nautical miles ahead of his closest pursuer Charlie Dalin at the helm of Apivia.
Bestaven passed the cape in the early afternoon while Dalin was on course to reach it during the night.
Bestaven extends Vendee Globe lead with Cape Horn in sight
Issued on:
01/01/2021 - 11:40 2 min
Paris (AFP)
Yannick Bestaven powered his Maitre Coq yacht over 452 nautical miles (837km) in 24 hours as the Vendee Globe leader neared Cape Horn and a welcome return to the Atlantic Ocean.
After 53 days at sea, the Frenchman admitted he couldn t wait to leave the rough swells of the southern oceans behind him, confident that his vessel was in top shape for the final push of the epic solo around-the-world ocean race. Fifty-three days at sea puts a bit of a strain on you physically and mentally, Bestaven said. I ve never spent this much time at sea: it s starting to be a lot of days, even if I don t see the days go by.