Charlie Dalin Leads Vendée Globe as Final Stretch Begins

The solo sailing race nears its conclusion with Dalin holding a narrow lead over Richomme, as both approach potential record-breaking times.

Charlie Dalin crossed the equator on January 5, maintaining his lead in the Vendée Globe with a 128-nautical-mile advantage over Yoann Richomme.
The two frontrunners are expected to reach Les Sables-d’Olonne between January 14 and 15, potentially breaking the race's previous fastest time of 74 days.
Dalin and Richomme have benefited from stable trade winds, but upcoming challenges include navigating the unpredictable Pot au Noir and North Atlantic storm systems.
Third-place Sébastien Simon trails significantly, over 800 nautical miles behind Dalin, after facing mechanical issues that further widened the gap.
This marks a tight competition between Dalin, the runner-up of the last edition, and Richomme, a first-time Vendée Globe competitor, both of whom share a long professional history.