While part of the Vendée Globe fleet is still up against the vagaries of the Doldrums, the other half have crossed the Equator. While some are sailing to the rhythm of squalls and calm areas, others are making progress in the trade winds with one goal in mind, to head south as quickly as possible. The challenge? Not to miss the weather system off Rio de Janeiro that could propel them to Cape Hope. In this situation, speed is of the essence but so is the need to optimise your trajectory. At this stage skippers must decide whether to skirt the Fernando de Noronha archipelago from the west or the east.

In a race as demanding as the Vendée Globe, it’s essential for skippers to have a clear objective from the start. The motto for Team Malizia, adopted after Boris Herrmann’s first crack at this legend in 2020-2021, reflects their mindset: “To finish first, you must first finish”.

From the start unpredictable weather conditions have led to a succession of leaders. While heading south, Yacht Club de Monaco’s Boris Herrmann encountered light shifting winds that frustrated progress to the point of giving an impression he was going in circles.  It’s at times like these that he had to be patient, stay true to his strategy and remain positive. At a recent press conference Boris spoke about his state of mind: “I would say it’s improved. Last night, despite difficult weather conditions I remained incredibly calm emotionally. I am in tune with the boat and relatively comfortable on board”.

On the 12th day of racing, Boris officially crossed the Equator marking his entry into the Southern Hemisphere where he will be till the end of the year. “Let’s see if the Southern Hemisphere brings us luck this winter,” he said with a big smile. This passage is a symbolic and strategic step in the Vendée Globe.

In a message sent from his boat, Boris shared his impressions: “Everything is going fine here. So far I’ve managed the Doldrums well. I’m keeping fingers crossed that it stays that way so I can continue to advance.  I’ve moved closer to the leading pack. I just hope the Doldrums don’t spread and catch up with me again”.

Meanwhile, the lead pack are making good progress towards Fernando de Noronha, with speeds ranging from 15 to 18 knots. “The furthest west is encountering a tight angle in the south-easterly trade which explains the lower speeds,” explained Race Director Jacques Caraës.

The challenge for all skippers now is to intercept a low pressure system forming off Cape Frio, east of Rio de Janeiro. These depressions could provide an ideal opportunity for a fast relatively direct route to the Cape of Good Hope, the next major stage in this amazing adventure.