Every Saturday during the Vendée Globe, Charlie Dalin keeps a logbook for Europe 1. On his Apivia monohull, the 36-year-old skipper talks about his impressions, his strategy and the future events that await him in this legendary single-handed race. , nonstop and unassisted.

In this eighth week of the Vendée Globe, Charlie Dalin is in second position behind Yannick Bestaven.

For the 36-year-old skipper, who is participating in his first edition on his Apivia monohull, the days ahead will be those of a great moment for any sailor: the passage of Cape Horn.

This moment symbolizes the passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic and new opportunities for the race.

The navigator confides in his weekly logbook on Europe 1, recorded on Friday.

Become a Cape Hornier

Cape Horn is the most legendary of all the capes: the most southerly, the most feared cape, the one with the most legends and stories around it.

Obviously, it's a monument, it's a monster.

There are not many capes where we have a word that is provided for this status, we do not say of someone that he is a cap-of-hope or that he is a cap-corsier.

On the other hand, Cape Hornier, it does exist.

That says everything.

It kind of explained the extreme symbol that this cape carries with it. 

Photo credit: Charlie Dalin

Yes, I can't wait to cross it.

I hope I will see him, even if there is a chance that I will spend the night.

It is never completely dark here, as I am far south.

Maybe I'll see a shadow.

I don't know if I'm going to come very close or not, we'll see.

If I see it so much the better, if I don't see it, so be it.

But yes, it is the symbol of the end of the South Seas.

It is synonymous with change, to put an end to heavy seas, with heavy swells.

The hurry to leave the South

I've been in my roaring forties for 35 days, I think.

I can't wait to get the temperatures a bit warmer, to lower the humidity in the boat and dry the things that are wet.

I managed to eat and sleep, I feel in good shape.

But it is a state that varies a little from day to day, depending on the intensity of the moment.

For example, 36 hours ago I was racing against this front.

It was absolutely necessary that I pass in advance.

Obviously, I slept very little.

I accused the blow afterwards.

But it does not matter.

What was important was to stay ahead of this front to make the break with the pursuers.

You have to accept it.

It's like that.

I'd rather be tired and take a break than the other way around. 

Opportunities to regain the lead after Cape Town?

We will count the points after Cape Horn, we will see how far we are from each other.

Afterwards, the regatta will continue to go up the Atlantic.

It is the symbol of the end of the South, but it is not the symbol of the arrival now.

There are still 7,000 miles to go after Cape Horn.

It's a third of the world tour.

There is still a long way to go, but the opportunities are likely to be numerous.

The South Atlantic is an area that is complex to negotiate.

Photo credit: Charlie Dalin

What will dictate what follows are the weather patterns: favorable to pursuers or leaders.

They vary a lot, there is a lot of activity, highs, depressions, fronts to manage.

It is a symbol of opportunity to earn miles.

There are going to be opportunities to come back, I'm sure of that.

You just have to know how to grab them and continue to sail as much as possible while preserving the machine and the sailor.