After the chasing pack rapidly closed in on Vendée Globe leaders Charlie Dalin (MACIF Prévoyance) and Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil), the top nine sailors face a new obstacle as they sail under Australia, near the longitude of Tasmania, seeking a way out of an Indian Ocean that has been relentless.

To avoid a growing high-pressure area that could slow them down, they will all need to maintain maximum speed. This could allow Dalin, the long-time race leader, to increase his lead.

Christian Dumard, meteorological consultant for the Vendée Globe, explains: “Charlie will pass before the wind decreases too much. The others will have to go north around the high-pressure ridge. The difference between them will widen a bit from the middle of tonight.”

The skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance will be forced to stay south and make multiple tacks, while the chasers will be able to stay north and follow a more direct route.

During the journey, Dalin has set a new record for the passage between the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Leeuwin, with a time of 9 days, 22 hours and 27 minutes, surpassing a 16-year-old record set by Michel Desjoyeaux.

For his part, Sébastien Simon, second in the standings, reaffirms his determination despite the loss of his starboard foil: “I’m holding on, staying motivated. There was a lot of emotion at that moment. I was wondering why now? Why here? It’s a proven foil, it’s a break I can’t explain. Still, everything is to be done, I hope the Pacific lives up to its name. I would like to do a review of my boat, but at the moment it is impossible because the conditions do not allow it.”

In the Great South, the most direct routes are not always the fastest. Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier) seems determined to prove that sometimes staying south and fighting the elements can be a winning strategy.

For more information and real-time updates on the Vendée Globe, visit the official race site.