French skipper Yannick Bestaven looks out a porthole as he sails his Imoca 60 monohull 'Maitre Coq' on October 7, 2020, in the Atlantic ocean off the coast of La Rochelle, western France, a few weeks prior to take the start of the Vendee Globe round-the-world solo sailing race.

- The 2020 edition of the Vendee Globe begins on November 8, 2020. (Photo by Sebastien SALOM-GOMIS / AFP) -

AFP

Tuesday January 12

The classification turned upside down, Dalin in the lead in front of the pack

In the classification of 5 hours Tuesday morning, at the latitude of Caraguatatuba, seaside resort in the state of Sao Paulo, Charlie Dalin had taken the lead of the peloton ahead of Thomas Rettant (+18.3 miles), the former leader Yannick Bestaven ( +25.8), Damien Seguin (+40.9), and Louis Burton (+56.7), on the verge of retirement a few weeks ago and now very close to the top!

Yet another twist in a decidedly indecipherable race for the poor skippers involved in this galley.

Classification

1. Charlie Dalin, Apivia


2. Thomas Rettant, LinkedOut at 7 nautical miles


3. Yannick Bestaven, Maître Coq IV, at 14 mn


4. Damien Seguin, Apicil, at 19 mn

Bestaven struggles to recover

Still a comfortable leader last week with a 400-mile lead, Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq) is still "encalminated" in an area without any downwind, and in the last video session, the guy struggled to hide his dismay afterwards. to have seen all the competitors approaching, before taking it up one by one.

“It's hard because everyone came back.

It was expected.

But after more than 60 days of racing, you have to have morale.

All this with 36 or 38 degrees on the bridge.

Come on, we must not give up, it is up front that it is happening, ”explains Yannick Bestaven close to tears, no doubt exhausted by the 13 tackings made in 36 hours, without convincing results.

Dalin can't believe his eyes

On the contrary, the new leader of the race was all smiles, almost pinching himself to believe it: “It's a magical moment in this Vendée Globe.

I wouldn't have believed it, if I had been told four days ago that I was going to take the lead again, when I was 450 miles behind.

There has been an opportunity, I am happy to return to business, but conditions remain unstable, with winds varying in strength and direction ”

The emotion of Pip Hare at Cape Horn

The British competitor (Medallia) is not concerned by the win (17th), but she did not care when crossing the legendary Cape Horn for the first time, passing in addition a few miles from the coast: " I find it hard to express myself in words.

It's so amazing to see it (Cape Horn).

It's been a horrible day so far and .. That moment will stay in my head and in my memory for the rest of my life.

I find it hard to believe I'm here.

I am proud, so happy.

That's wonderful.

It is one of the proudest moments of my life ”.

"It's Cape Horn ... this is one of the proudest moments of my life."

⛵️☺️ # vg2020 @VendeeGlobe @VendeeGlobeENG @Medallia @Smartsheet pic.twitter.com/k5CZeYLxo1

- Pip Hare Ocean Racing (@pipoceanracing) January 12, 2021

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