Paris (AFP)

Cramped in a small corridor bypassing the Saint Helena anticyclone, Charlie Dalin dislodged Thomas Rouillard from his place of leader on Monday, the two men being alone at the forefront of the Vendée Globe after Alex's damage Thomson.

Charlie Dalin (Apivia), at the helm of a latest generation boat, crossed in front of Thomas Rettant (LinkedOut) in the early hours, managing to double his speed compared to his rival in this relatively windy passage.

The new leader, who is playing his very first round the world solo, has only a short lead over his direct pursuer - less than 20 nautical miles (37 km) - but the two sailors have widened a considerable gap on the third of the fleet, Jean Le Cam (Yes we Cam!).

The dean of the race (61), who impresses with his 13-year-old boat, regains the podium of the race but is more than 470 km (255 nm) from Dalin.

Just behind him, Kevin Escoffier (PRB), seems to be biding his time to steal the third place from him.

The head of the fleet runs along a corridor which should lead it towards the Cape of Good Hope to reach the southern seas, which many sailors involved in this ninth edition do not yet know.

But they will have to be patient to discover them as the race takes its time.

- Shock -

The weather forecast is not as good as in the last edition, won in a record time of 74 days and 3 hours by Armel Le Cléac'h.

According to the former winner, there will be "at the Cape of Good Hope, one to two days behind", compared to 2016.

All predicted a rapid edition, with this fleet of boats capable of + flying + thanks to their foils (lateral appendages which raise the hull above the water).

Starting with the Welshman Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss), who had anticipated 67 days of circumnavigation.

The Briton, big favorite, can give up on it while on the night from Saturday to Sunday, his sailboat suffered "structural damage".

"It was clearly a shock at first, but it could have been a lot worse. It's fixable and we're not in the South Seas yet," Thomson said on Sunday night.

The skipper, with the two 'Vendée Globe' completed (2nd in 2016/2017 and 3rd in 2012/2013), almost stopped to repair after a complete inspection of the boat and an action plan with his team shore technician and architects.

“The first part was to stabilize the hull which involved cutting, gluing and sanding. It's done now. The next step is to prepare the repair and gather all the material and make as many cuts as possible. 'it is daylight,' he detailed, while he is in 5th position in the standings.

- Fearsome -

Thomson, who is taking part in his fifth Vendée Globe, said he was "obviously disappointed, but it's the Vendée Globe".

“That's what running involves. You have to be able to cope with it all. In these situations, usually I'm angry, sad, and emotional, but not this time around,” he continued, before concluding: "I will do whatever is necessary to stay in the race".

For his former rival Armel Le Cléac'h, nothing is finished for Thomson.

"Alex is living a difficult situation, he has experience, he is going through a complicated time. He knows that the boat can still go on, he needs that to attack the seas of the south where we know it will be hard. But ahead. , it can slow down. It is a formidable competitor, it can play the podium, even better, "assured Le Cléac'h.

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