IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe - Day 45

After the so far extraordinary wind conditions on the Atlantic as well as on the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean shows itself from an unusual side too: A huge high pressure system is slowing down the top of the fleet. The leader Yannick Bestaven FRA ('Maître Coq') is sailing at just 10kn, and the chasers will catch up massively in the next two days. A major close up might be expected in the next days. Charlie Dalin FRA ('Apivia') was 92nm back in 2nd this morning UTC. Thomas Ruyant FRA ('LinkedOut') is still in 3rd with a 179nm backlog. Boris Herrmann GER '(SeaExplorer') as 4th reduced the gap to 300nm. Benjamin Dutreux FRA ('OMIA') is new in 5th place, 354nm behind. Still among the fastest is Isabelle Joschke GER ('MACSF') who is 8th, only 390nm behind the leader, about to overtake Damien Séguin FRA ('Groupe Apicil') only 9nm in front of her this morning. Alan Roura SUI ('La Fabrique') holds unchallenged the 15th place, 2606nm in arrear. ----- The race tracker and the reports.