Vendee Globe Day 41 hugely Busy Onboard Report as The Leaders Approach Cape Horn. The Rest in Gales

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The tactical battle at the front of the Vondée Globe is every bit as engaging as any Christmas TV thriller except in this instance there is no bad guy, no evil villain to hiss at. Indeed the leader on this Sunday night before Christmas is Yoann Richomme, (PAPREC Arkea), who regained first position this morning ahead of Charlie Dalin, (MACIF Santé Prévoyance).

Richomme has gybed back on a North Easterly course and has opened ten or so miles on his rival. The pair are now more than 200 miles ahead of third placed Seb Simon, (Groupe Dubreuil), and 1000 ahead of fourth positioned Thomas Ruyant, (VULNERABLE).

Richomme’s move is a ‘banker’, whilst Dalin is pushing further south a few more miles towards the ice exclusion zone hoping for a better, faster angle back after he gybes. But it seems very likely the duo will go round Cape Horn together some time late on Monday. They might be aware that in the nine previous editions of the Vondée Globe only one leader at Cape Horn has not gone on to win the race. Vincent Riou rounded second behind Jean Le Cam, but went on to win the 2004-5 race. On the last edition Yannick Bestaven led by 14 hours ahead of Dalin who went on to cross the finish line first in Lay Sabb d-lonn, but Bestaven won the race thanks to his 10 hours 14 minutes of time compensation.