The French François Gabart was still in the lead thursday evening of the Vendée Globe but only for 2 small miles, his fellow countryman Armel Le Cléac’h has been catching up like a rocket and the Swiss Bernard Stamm, 3rd, isn’t also very far anymore (8,2 miles).
Held back by a softening breeze, Gabart – who has been leading the race around the globe on his own non-stop since last saturday – has been caught up south-west of the Canaries des Canaries by the dogging bevy who has been benefiting from more supportive winds. A Classic accordion effect. We will know friday morning if the dream that Gabart (Macif) has been living will find an end or if it has been a matter of only a temporary delay.
By midday Gabart noted that there wouldn’t be any major strategic choices until the Pot-au-Noir, with a relative simple trajectory.
“We will have to count the points at Cap Vert in two days”, confirmed Vincent Riou (PRB) for his part, estimating that his delay towards the head of the race ( 86 miles thursday evening) “wasn’t dramatic”.
The day had also been marked by the damage on the boat of the Spanish Javier Sanso (Acciona), who has gone off course towards Madeira “due to a technical problem (…) to get shelter and repairs”.
According to “Bubi” Sanso, “the damages aren’t that bad and the situation is under control.
Ranking at 20h00 (French time):
1. François Gabart (FRA / Macif) to 22544.7 miles from the finish
2. Armel Le Cléac’h (FRA / Banque Populaire) at 2 miles from lead
3. Bernard Stamm (SUI / Cheminées Poujoulat) 8.2
4. Alex Thomson (GBR / Hugo Boss) 85.9
5. Vincent Riou (FRA / PRB) to 86
6. Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA / Virbac-Paprec 3) to 91.6
7. Jérémie Beyou (FRA / Master CoQ) 108.3
8. Mike Golding (GBR / Gamesa) 142.4
9. Jean Le Cam (FRA / SynerCiel) 147.2
10. Dominique Wavre (SUI / Mirabaud) to 222.3
source:
http://www.eurosport.fr/voile/gabart-toujours-en-tete.-pour-2-petits-milles_sto3493671/story.shtml