Leaving the Bay of Biscay in this wintery weather is often a relief for the Vendée Globe sailors, as the crossing down to the tip of Spain is far from a pleasant Sunday outing, especially when there are strong headwinds.
The Bay of Biscay stretches out between Finistère at the tip of Brittany and Cape Finisterre, at the tip of Galicia in Spain. 300 miles to cross from Les Sables d’Olonne before they begin the long climb down the coast of Portugal. As is often the case in Winter, Biscay is throwing a temper tantrum.
For the first hours of the Vendée Globe race, the competitors will have their work cut out.
The SW’ly wind, moderate at the start will gradually strengthen to 25 or 30 knots during the night, then 30 to 35 knots with gusts reaching 40-45 knots. However, more than the wind itself, it is the sea state that is going to strain the boats and the sailors. A NW’ly swell crossed with a SW’ly wind will create very rough to heavy seas with waves reaching 5 to 6 metres (16 to 18 feet). The wind will gradually veer NW’ly from the west. These winds will stick with the leading boats before gradually veering N’ly. In fact, these are more or less typical conditions for this time of year, which should enable the frontrunners to make their getaway
Everything is in place to separate out the cream from the crop: From the outset, the fleet will be facing treacherous seas, while feeling the need to remain up with the frontrunners to avoid missing the next weather system… Before dicing with the devil in the southern seas, they are going to have to snatch themselves away from the claws of the bogeyman in the Bay of Biscay.
