Vendée Globe: the breakaway is in Good Hope, Pedote on the comeback

By strokes of mile records in the 24 hours (the last one of 615 miles is by Sebastien Simon), the Vendée Globe fugitives have arrived at the Cape of Good Hope. The “breakaway” now consists of only 4 boats, those of Charlie Dalin, leading from Brazil, tailed by Sebastien Simon, Thomas Ruyant and Yoann Richomme, who follow him within 50 miles. The rest of what used to be the leading group has thinned out, and the closest is Nicolas Lunven at 168 miles. Then there is a further group further to the rear, the one where Giancarlo Pedote and Jean Le Cam have slipped , the gap for them, who have not latched on to the trough of the leaders, has risen even to 1700 miles.

However, there now seems to be a chance for them to leave on a new depression that could lead them to the Cape, about 3 days away.

Vendée Globe, Pedote on the comeback trail

The good news for Pedote is that for at least the past 48 hours he has begun to climb the leaderboard in this group thanks to increased speed, and he seems poised to overtake Jean Le Cam himself and take the lead in this fleet group, close to 20th position. This is not the position the Tuscan skipper dreamed of having, but it is the one he will have to deal with from now on, while waiting for opportunities to target the skippers ahead as well. The Big South may not offer as many by starting, like Pedote, from a weather system lagging behind those ahead, but the regatta is still long, like a marathon, and so much more can happen.

Review the Vendée Globe Trial episode with Romanelli and Soldini

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Follow the Vendèe Globe with the Sailing Newspaper! In the section “The Vendèe Globe Newspaper” you will find all the latest news about the race, while on our Youtube channel, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., “The Vendèe Globe Trial” (in collaboration with Raymarine, Antal and Gottifredi&Maffioli) goes live, where our experts, along with a parterre de roi of great sailing guests, comment on the great adventure of the solo round-the-world race.

Mauro Giuffrè