The second edition of the Vend\u00e9e Arctique has been stopped midway through the race as a 50 knot storm and cross seas were deemed too dangerous to continue The second edition of the Vend\u00e9e Arctique has been brought to a stop by race organisers halfway through the course as a dangerous low pressure system has been deemed too dangerous to let the solo sailors, on their IMOCA 60s, continue. The race will be restarted after the weather system has passed.
\nThe Vend\u00e9e Arctique course runs from Les Sables d\u2019Olonne, France and was due to round Iceland before the fleet head south again to the finish back in Les Sables d\u2019Olonne, France. However, the weather has been an issue since the fleet set off, with a high pressure ridge in the early days of the race slowing the entire fleet significantly.
\nThen, when a significant low pressure appeared on the forecast, organisers made the decision to replace the rounding of Iceland with a point to the south of the country with the hopes the fleet might be able to head south before the worst of the weather made things too dangerous for the bulk of the fleet \u2013 which had already seen a significant amount of separation due to the early high pressure ridge.
\nBut it recently became clear that even that change would not be enough to shelter the fleet from the worst of the low pressure system, so organisers took the decision to make the rounding point to the south of Iceland an effective finish and will restart the fleet on a race back to Les Sables d\u2019Olonne once the worst of the weather has passed.
\nThe decision was taken because the deepening low pressure system which is passing across the course area Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th June, has winds forecast to gust up to 45-50 knots with dangerous cross seas.
\nChalie Dalin on Apivia was once again showing the IMOCA60 fleet a clean pair of heels and will lead the fleet away after the restart.
\nOnce the solo racers pass through the gate to the south of Iceland they are no longer racing and can take shelter. Race direction will determine the time each boat finishes and each\u00a0 will then start at intervals determined by the time they passed the Iceland gate.
\nCharlie Dalin, who has once again in this race proved both his offshore tactical nous and the raw pace of his IMOCA60 Apivia, led through the Iceland gate at 02:23:20hrs HF (00:23:20 UTC) Friday 17 June 2022 and has, as instructed, put his race on hold.
\nJ\u00e9r\u00e9mie Beyou on Charal was second 3 hours 43 minutes and 34 seconds after Dalin and so will restart after that same time interval behind the race leader.
\nAt 0700hrs HF this morning Thomas Ruyant on LinkedOut was less than 30 miles from the gate and should cross this morning with Benjamin Ferr\u00e9 (Monnoyeur \u2013 Duo For A Job) later, and the first daggerboard (non-foiler) boat on the former Macif\/SMA.<\/p>\n
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The second edition of the Vend\u00e9e Arctique has been stopped midway through the race as a 50 knot storm and cross seas were deemed too dangerous to continue The second edition of the Vend\u00e9e Arctique has been brought to a … <\/p>\n