Europe 1 with AFP 11:15 p.m., November 15, 2022

Launched in a chase for several days, Charles Caudrelier, in the lead, and François Gabart, his first pursuer, are preparing to cross the finish line of the Route du Rhum on Wednesday in Pointe-à-Pitre, but nothing is still played before the perilous tour of Guadeloupe.

Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), leads the dance since the cannon shot in Saint-Malo, for his first participation.

Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. Paris time, he was 68 nautical miles (125 km) ahead of François Gabart (SVR Lazartigue), holder of the solo round the world record (42 days 16 hours).

According to race management, Caudrelier could reach Tête à l'Anglais, a small islet located north of Guadeloupe, on Tuesday around 10:30 p.m. local time (3:30 a.m. Wednesday in Paris), a few hours ahead of Gabart.

After reaching this islet, the two sailors will have to circumnavigate Guadeloupe to the west to cross the finish line, but passing the legendary Basse-Terre buoy can take several hours depending on the winds.

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For a revenge

"I have a good lead over François (Gabart) but I remain vigilant," said Charles Caudrelier during Tuesday's session.

"I would like to keep it to go around Guadeloupe. What worries me is that François will give me a Joyon, that he will take revenge for the last time!"

Because Gabart knows better than anyone that the last hours of racing can change everything.

During the last edition, in 2018, the skipper from Charente had an almost similar lead, approaching Guadeloupe, over veteran Francis Joyon (Idec Sport).

But in the absence of wind, and with a very damaged boat, he was finally overtaken on the wire after nine hours of mano a mano around the island, Joyon at the same time setting the new record for the crossing ( 7 days, 14 hours and 21 minutes).

"Everything is done to make a suspenseful finish as you like on land, but as you hate at sea", explained Caudrelier.

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"Not impossible"

If the Finisterian maintains his pace, he should complete the crossing in six days and beat the record set by Joyon.

"I still have the impression that Charles has full possession of his boat, which was not the case for François four years ago. But it can go very fast and lose a hundred miles in three hours is not not impossible. As long as the line is not crossed...", commented Armel Le Cléac'h (Banque Populaire).

Behind the two leaders, Thomas Coville (Sodebo) was spinning at the end of the day at thirty knots (55 km/h) and remained in ambush 150 minutes from Caudrelier.

In the flagship category of the famous Vendée Globe, the Imoca (18m monohulls), Charlie Dalin (Apivia) well established in the lead, is approaching the trade winds, nearly 90 nautical miles ahead of Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut) and Jérémie Beyou (Charal) .

The first Imoca is expected Monday in Pointe-à-Pitre, according to race management.