On this 11th day of racing, some competitors have already passed through the daunting Doldrums, leaving behind this mythical zone before heading toward the Equator. Leading the charge out of this challenging area is Thomas Ruyant, closely followed by Sam Goodchild.

By opting for a bold westerly route, the skipper of one of the latest VULNERABLE yachts has managed to gain an advantage over the front-running group of foilers that had been dominating the race so far. Meanwhile, part of the fleet remains trapped in this unpredictable region, where the weather is anything but cooperative: violent storms, erratic winds, torrential rains, and sudden gusts continue to test the patience and nerves of the skippers. Alan Roberts, co-skipper of Clarisse Crémer on L’Occitane en Provence, shares his insights into this critical stage of the race.