At 9:21AM this Wednesday morning, Louis was right on the axis of Cape Leeuwin, south-west tip of Australia, 2nd mark of course of this Vendée Globe! After 38 days of racing, 2 capes crossed, 10,500 miles travelled (19,500 km), some negotiated depressions and repaired damage… Everything is fine aboard the Imoca Fives Group – Lantana Environnement. Louis appreciates every moment of his Vendée Globe, whether it is soft or rough, and is getting ready to finish off the Indian Ocean, which still has some surprises for the solo sailors in the coming days…
This passage under Australia also marks the expected regrouping of the fleet head of the Imoca dinghies. The roads of the southerners crossed those partisans of the North: Even Steven! Louis is back on board this morning with Sébastien Marsset… They had left shortly after Good Hope, just before the first big depression of the Indian Ocean.
We were fine, south
“I find myself with my boyfriend Seb Marsset: I’ll try to take care of him! (laughs) There was no significant gain between the two options. They’ve gone over the road. For my part, I have been riding the brake pedal all the time, to preserve the equipment. But I’m still with them: I’m happy, it was a good option.”
Stuck in the dorsal to finish
During this entire crossing of the Indian Ocean, as a good strategist, with humility, the skipper Normand has indeed made the choice to spare his boat. He has lost miles in recent days: “Tanguy Le Turquais and Benjamin Ferré were able to hang the front just in front of me and make nice averages. I found myself right behind, in the ridge, I was disgusted: they had crosswind, easy conditions to go fast. I was 145° from the wind at 16 knots. And, in the transitions, the driver is not reactive and it makes me lose a little. I saw the thing... worse. We’ll see what happens next.” The halfway point is still 3,000 miles from their bow (almost a Route du Rhum!), the Indian has not said his last word, while the immense Pacific Ocean (4,500 miles or so, 8,300 km) and its 50th roar await them!
The Indian also knows how to be calm, even too calm
In the coming days, Louis and his competitors-friends will therefore finish with the Indian Ocean by this time dealing with windless areas... “The week ahead is a kind of transition, with calm weather, even too calm… There will be some play! In fact, as soon as there is land it makes a mess in the weather systems! Between South Africa and Australia we were criminals: it was clean! There are depressions coming down, anticyclonic bubbles walking around: you have to find your way and it’s not going to be easy.”
At 17 knots on a turquoise sea
At 11AM this Wednesday morning, the Imoca Fives Group – Lantana Environnement is in 24th position, 5th of the dinghies. Louis is on the attack. In a video sent this morning, he was enjoying the pleasure of sliding at more than 17 knots on a turquoise sea. “The water rose to 12°C (it was 8.5 recently). The air is at 15°C. Conditions have been super pleasant for 2 days. I’m under Code 0, with a reef in the mainsail. There are 25 knots carrying, not too much sea: there is nothing to complain about! ” The grey of these days is behind him. A new phase of racing begins.
Louis Duc (Fives Group - Lantana Environnement): cape Leeuwin crossed on 18 December 2024 at 9:21AM and 39s (French time) after 37d 20h 19min 39s -
Words from the boat
An edition like no other
Alone but supportive and observers, Louis is one of the sailors attentive to others, and in particular to his more or less direct competitors and friends.
“I’m sad for Pip, it’s a beautiful person and they were doing a great race. It’s a really tough Vendée Globe in terms of weather, but there are few retirements. There is some breakage, but there are repairs and good sailing. It’s really nice, an edition like no other. I had pain for Guirec: he spent 24 hours with dantesque conditions! Dry of canvas, please. We switched during the bulk of his gale. It was gusting to 70 knots. It’s a sick thing what he took. He has had the toughest conditions in the entire Vendée Globe so far. And he always has a smile, he always manages: he is a good guy! I liked having him near me, he called me every two hours!”
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