IMOCA – Malizia-Seaexplorer – Vendée Globe

2nd December

The 22nd day of racing marked a new chapter for Boris Herrmann from Yacht Club de Monaco aboard Malizia-Seaexplorer as they officially entered the Southern Ocean after rounding Cape of Good Hope, gateway to Southern Hemisphere waters.

It’s not over until it’s over

There is still a long way to go and plenty of opportunities to seize. That’s the mindset of the skipper as he pursues his route in this non-stop round-the-world without assistance race. Analysing weather reports, manoeuvres and unexpected encounters punctuate his days and nights. “I was surprised to see Justine (Mettraux) so close, I thought she was further away. The sea is complicated by the Agulhas Current. We accelerate a little then hit waves. It’s not that fast but I’m still averaging 21 knots which is not bad. I’m getting my bearings in the south”.

On deck

That day Boris had to lower a sail, the JO, move it back and secure everything properly. A manoeuvre that went off smoothly but required a lot of physical effort. After a rest, the skipper had to negotiate another challenge. “Today is difficult because of the sea state, with the Agulhas Current. It’s not easy to maintain good average speeds in these conditions. I’ll be relieved when I come out of it as it churns up the sea and makes for chaotic sailing.  Sometimes the boat just stops dead! The wind is oscillating between 24 and 29 knots and conditions are tough”.

After passing Cape of Good Hope then Cape Agulhas around 100km east of South Africa, Boris will set sail on a long starboard tack to the east, probably with fairly strong winds. “The Indian Ocean will probably be very difficult. It looks like they’ll be lots of wind and I’ll be relieved once we are in the Pacific. Sailors and skippers rarely have time to appreciate the Indian Ocean as the seas can be a lot more confused and disorderly compared to those in the Pacific.” Boris’s goal is to eat up the miles and round Cape Horn by 1st January.