Richomme’s passage from Les Sables d’Olonne to the iconic Cape set a new benchmark, eclipsing Armel Le Cléac’h’s 2016 record. A rapid segment between Australia’s Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn further demonstrated his blistering pace, cutting over four days from Le Cléac’h’s previous mark.
Rivalry on the edge
Trailing by a mere nine minutes and 30 seconds, Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) pushed Richomme to his limits. The duo, blessed by favourable winds and calm seas in the Pacific, turned the section into a thrilling head-to-head battle. Although Dalin passed Cape Leeuwin and Cape of Good Hope ahead of Richomme, the elusive trifecta slipped from his grasp as Richomme claimed the Cape Horn lead.
Reflecting on the moment, Richomme exuded pride and joy. “So cool! What an absolutely amazing moment! So much excitement to pass the Horn. I never imagined I would pass it in conditions like that,” he shared. "There were 15 knots of wind, the swell pushing us... My God, it was majestic!"
Heading for the Atlantic
The leaders now face an engaging ascent of the Atlantic, where transitions and tactical manoeuvres could decide the race. Christian Dumard, the event’s weather consultant, noted, “The scenarios for the Atlantic ascent are quite promising for the leaders.” Projections suggest the frontrunners might reach the Equator by January 4th, setting the stage for an epic final leg.
Meanwhile, Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) holds third place, 600 miles behind, and is poised to round Cape Horn on Christmas Day. For Simon, the milestone is both symbolic and a relief. “Rounding the Horn is a huge milestone. It means we’ve completed two-thirds of the course. Rounding Cape Horn on Christmas Day is not given to everyone.”
Unpredictable waters
The Vendée Globe has seen its share of twists, and history suggests no lead is entirely safe. Skippers like Louis Burton have clawed back deficits of over 1,000 miles to reach the podium, while weather systems have derailed clear leaders, as Yannick Bestaven experienced in the last edition.
Bestaven faced his own Christmas setback this year, losing his Code Zero sail and dropping to 11th place. Despite his struggles, competitors like Boris Herrmann and Sam Goodchild capitalised, moving to seventh and eighth positions, respectively.
Christmas at sea
For many skippers, Christmas aboard their high-performance yachts offered a brief reprieve from the race's intensity. While decorations were minimal, festive meals and video calls with loved ones lifted spirits. Romain Attanasio (Fortinet – Best Western), dressed as Santa, joked, “I admit that I had a little moment of loneliness this morning but I’m starting to receive a lot of messages. They make me feel good!”
Further back, skippers like Sébastien Marsset (Foussier) dreamt of the Atlantic while braving Pacific swells. "It seems crazy to imagine that they are already back in the Atlantic when I’m barely in the Pacific, near Macquarie Island!”
As Richomme and Dalin chart their way through the Atlantic, the Vendée Globe remains a testament to resilience, strategy, and the human spirit. Whether the leaderboard holds or shifts, this Christmas marks a historic chapter in this iconic race.
