Please select your home edition
Edition
upffront 2024 December Leaderboard

Giancarlo Pedote in the Vendée Globe update: "Staying humble and focused"

by L'IMOCA Prysmian 17 Dec 10:41 GMT 17 December 2024
Giancarlo Pedote in the Vendée Globe © Eloi Stichelbaut - polaRYSE / IMOCA

In the vast turmoil of the Indian Ocean, every day is a bitter battle against the elements.

Tired but resolute, Giancarlo Pedote is determinedly making headway towards Cape Leeuwin, the second of the three major capes in his circumnavigation of the globe, which he plans to tick off over the course of tomorrow.

Though this symbolic passage is bound to be a key stage in his journey both mentally and geographically, the skipper of Prysmian is continuing to remain focused. And for good reason because, further east, the Pacific is also shaping up to be mysterious and unpredictable with its own share of new challenges and opportunities.

"I'm doing well but I'm a little tired as we haven't really had a moment's respite in this Indian Ocean," commented Giancarlo Pedote, whilst in contact with his team this Monday. Indeed, like his fellow competitors in this Vendée Globe, since passing Cape Agulhas, that marks the gateway into this ocean once known as the Eastern Ocean or the Sea of India, the sailor has had to negotiate a series of particularly violent depressions.

"In essence it's the sea state, which is making life aboard very difficult. The slightest movement around the boat is rendered extremely complicated." Despite all this, the Italian is managing to preserve his gear by negotiating these trying conditions with care.

"The good news is that the boat is holding up pretty well. The sea state has recently improved but we're sailing along the leading edge of a sizeable weather system so it's important to try to keep pace with it. The wind is very shifty at times so you have to be able to adapt. On occasion we bury into the waves a bit so you have to try to find the right trim," explained the Florentine, who is endeavouring to make as much headway to the east as possible.

Avoiding losing momentum

In his bid for the optimal trajectory to the south of New Zealand, Giancarlo Pedote is erring on the side of caution.

"Staying a little further to the north is a gamble based on trying to preserve gear and enjoy more manageable conditions. We'll see if it pays off," added Giancarlo, who is still slugging it out with Jean Le Cam, Isabelle Joschke and Alan Roura, as he prepares to cross the longitude of Cape Leeuwin some time tomorrow.

"It's going to be a key stage, especially mentally," admitted the skipper of Prysmian, who is thrilled to be leaving astern the second major milestone of this round the world race, following on from the Cape of Good Hope just over ten days ago.

"It feels good to be ticking this off but there's still a long way to go. There may be plenty of surprises in store and the damage that Pip Hare suffered last night is a timely reminder of that," explained the Italian, who has clearly been rocked by the dismasting of his British rival.

"I'm very disappointed for her because she'd sailed a fantastic race up to this point. It's a real ordeal both for her and her team. This is a mechanical sport and there are times when it's incredibly thankless. Fortunately, she's close to Australia. If this incident had occurred at Point Nemo, it would have been a much more complicated situation to deal with," said Giancarlo, all too aware that the Pacific Ocean is sure to have its share of challenges for him too.

"We're hoping to enjoy a smoother passage than we have here as the Indian Ocean has really given us a rough ride," concluded the skipper, who is planning to stick to his motto: humility and concentration.

Find out more...

Related Articles

Ian Walker: Gripped by the Vendée Globe
Waiting for Cape Horn to play its part Like hundreds of thousands of others around the world, Ian Walker, a double Olympic silver medallist and winning skipper of the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race, has been gripped by the drama of the Vendée Globe. Posted today at 2:44 pm
RORC Transatlantic Race Multihulls chasing dreams
This year a variety of multihulls will be challenging for Line Honours and the MOCRA Class The 2025 RORC Transatlantic Race will have a different outcome in respect of overall multihull line honours, compared to recent years. Posted today at 1:42 pm
Marcello Queirolo enters the Global Solo Challenge
It is proving to be one of the most accessible and internationally diverse solo sailing events It's been an incredibly busy time behind the scenes at the Global Solo Challenge (GSC), as the event continues to gain remarkable momentum. Posted today at 1:33 pm
Last Minute Gifts with Henri-Lloyd
Discover the perfect present for your loved one Last-minute gifts can still be thoughtful. Discover the perfect present for your loved one. Posted today at 12:00 pm
Vendée Globe Thursday Morning Update
Full Throttle Charlie Charlie Dalin on MACIF Santé Prévoyance is back in the lead of the Vendée Globe, having traded the top spot with Yoann Richomme on Paprec Arkéa and Sébastien Simon on Groupe Dubreuil over the past 48 hours. Posted today at 9:22 am
Anticipation builds for the IDP and Hansa Worlds
Three months away from commencing in Australia with 170 competitors expected The Hansa World and International Championships are three months away from commencing in Australia with 170 competitors expected. Leading into the Championships will be the World Sailing Inclusive Development Program. Posted today at 4:58 am
2024 RSHYR: The accidental nautical nudist
Few nautical stories are as dramatic as that of Tom Robinson Few if any sailors in the 2024 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race have a nautical story as dramatic as that of Tom Robinson. Posted today at 3:15 am
Entries open for Lochan Cup 2025
Women's keelboat team racing at Queen Mary in April Entries are live for the second UK Women's Keelboat Team Racing Championship. The event will be co-organised and hosted by the RYA and Royal Thames Yacht Club at London's Queen Mary Reservoir over the weekend of 12-13 April 2025. Posted on 18 Dec
Vendée Globe Race Wednesday Update
Three good men trading the lead The incredible three-sided battle, halfway across the frozen southern Pacific, midway between Tasmania and Cape Horn, continues at high speeds. Posted on 18 Dec
South West Tera Squad Camp at Bristol Corinthian
Sun and fun for the first two-day camp of the training program There was sun and fun for the first 2-day camp of the South West's Tera Squad Regional Training Program. Good wind, nice sun and very high-quality race coaching was the name of the game this weekend. Posted on 18 Dec