Two days after snatching second from Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) Yoann Richomme, skipper of PAPREC ARKÉA is hard on the heels of Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance). At just less than 18 miles behind Dalin, who has led since December 2nd, Richomme is consistently quicker.

“I am very happy with the choices I made with the boat and my sails.” Richomme told the French Vendée Globe LIVE! show, speaking of his superior speed with Yann Eliès, the two times Vendée Globe skipper who was his co-skipper on last year’s Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic race and his stand in, substitute skipper on this race. 

But while Richomme is impressing with his measured attack at the same time all the Vendée Globe skippers have been thinking of Brit Pip Hare (Medallia) who dismasted last night and is now heading under jury rigging towards Melbourne, Australia. Other problems are mounting up through the fleet in an especially brutal Indian Ocean. Benjamin Ferré (Monnoyeur - DUO for a JOB, 23rd) had to work "for twelve hours" to repair a keel ram problem, Antoine Cornic (Human Immobilier, 33rd) and Denis Van Weynbergh (D'Ieteren Group, 37th) both climbed their masts while Arnaud Boissières (La Mie Câline, 29th) is dealing with an injured knee. 

RICHOMME ATTACKING 

So far Richomme is not satisfied. He was happy to pass close to and film the Auckland islands off the south east tip of New Zealand that he was able to sail past and his pace is relentless. 

"The two skippers are sailing in the same conditions but Yoann is going slightly faster," explains Christian Dumard, the Vendée Globe weather consultant. “Charlie has lost the lateral separation he had and they have to deal with rather unstable wind." Richomme is relishing the chase. Dressed in a big hat and gloves, he was the guest on Vendée Live this Monday lunchtime:

“ It's going very well and of course, this race scenario makes me happy. Since I crossed paths with Thomas (Ruyant) in the Indian Ocean, I've been slipping through mouse holes. I feel good on board, I'm in tune with my weather routing, there are no setbacks. I'm lucky to have a fantastic boat in these downwind conditions. Charlie knows that well, we'll soon be equal. He'll have his time in the Atlantic, but this is mine. Each of us has their turn.”