That’s it! The doldrums are in the wake of Louis and the leading group of the Imoca dinghies! They again benefit from favorable wind conditions, in the trade winds of the southern hemisphere and are heading to the Brazilian coasts.
And why not dive south, directly towards Good Hope, the first cape of this world tour? Because this direct route is blocked by a wide and long zone without wind, the high of Saint Helena.
It’s going west!
Once again, sailors have to bypass a weather system. Along the African coasts would be more direct but the winds are contrary: the most efficient route is therefore that which passes through… the west!
5 Imoca in 30 miles
The skipper Fives Group – Lantana Environnement is therefore still strategically well placed compared to its direct competitors. And the fight is tight since despite the more than 200 miles (370 km) that separate Louis and Jean Le Cam in lateral, the first 5 Imoca drifts are held in 30 small miles (55 km)!
Fine-tuning strategy
The beautiful conditions to come for the next few hours will allow them to breathe a little after the suffocating stress of the doldrums. But this relative rest will be short-lived because they will then have to manage to sneak between the depressions from the south and the windswept bubble of Saint Helena…
A respectuous and circular sporting event
The Fives IMOCA is an "upcycled" boat. Thanks to Louis, it lives a 2nd life!
Louis and his team gave a new life to a very damaged IMOCA because of a fire. This refurbishment undertaking was a real technical challenge... that succeeded in only 10 months!
Louis and his team continue to apply this upcycling principle and optimization research with a constant effort on sobriety throughout this Vendée Globe program.
Louis is also very keen on respecting everyone's work and giving a chance.
The Fives Group, a major partner in this Vendée Globe program, has been seduced by such commitment and values, as it shares the same values and responsibilities.
Fives, your partner for a more virtuous industry
For over 200 years, the Group has designed the breakthrough solutions and technologies that make industry what it is. From the first railways to the Eiffel Tower, through the spatial conquest, Fives always spearheaded the industry of the future. Pioneering decarbonization, the Group is an unconditional partner of the industry's energy transition. Through digitization, the promotion of a circular economy and the development of new processes and new energy sources, Fives puts its technological leadership to its customers' service.
www.fivesgroup.com