Vendee Globe

December 16, 2008 08:05 by Bang The Corner | 0 comments

Golding takes the lead

Mark Lloyd/DPPI

Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3) takes the lead in the Vendée Globe.
He leads by 30 miles from Jean Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) who is slowed by rudder damage while Golding’s pursuers are close to record pace
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) polled at 466.6 miles in 24 h, by 5h50 GMT this morning averaging 19.4 knots, just 2.1 miles shy of Alex Thomson’s 2003 24h record.


While rudder damage has slowed down Jean-Pierre Dick on Paprec-Virbac 2, Mike Golding leads this Vendee Globe for the first time.
The British solo skipper has a lead of just 30 miles over the compromised Paprec-Virbac 2, but is facing an onslaught from behind as his pursuing French rivals tease the 2003 record 468.72 miles of Golding’s compatriot Alex Thomson.

Charging towards the longitude of Cape Leeuwin 240 miles to the east Golding becomes the eighth different leader of this Vendée Globe when the leadership changed for the 25th time early this morning.

The pace has been nothing short of electric since the leaders reached the Australia ice security gate. Averaging nearly 19 knots overnight Golding has eased south east and turned the 34 miles deficit he had to Dick to a 30 miles advantage, but the speeds of those chasing him has seen Sébastien Josse (BT) recording more than 450 miles in 24 hours, Jean le Cam more than 460 and this morning, topped by fourth placed Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) made 464.3 miles over 24 hours, which he exceeded at 466.6 miles to 0550h this morning averaging 19.4 kts.

Golding is not hanging around either, 75 miles to the south of the track taken by Michel Dejoyeaux on Foncia, the most northern boat, the British skipper has been posting consistent high average speeds. But behind the pace is being forced as ever where there is now just 6.6 miles between second placed Dick and fourth placed Desjoyeaux.

Dick confirmed this morning that his plan is to cross the ice security gate imminently and then slow to try and effect a repair to his damaged rudders.