IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 7

Yesterday, the leading boats of the Vendée Globe fleet passed the Cape Verde Islands. Alex Thompson GBR opted for a shortcut crossing the archipelago and passed Armel le Cléac'h FRA and Vincent Riou FRA, taking the lead with a 17 miles' lead this morning UTC. Moreover, the slackening trade winds allowed Vincent Riou FRA with his conventional Open60 to overtake Armel Le Cléac'h FRA, and this duo is now sailing at sight. Rich Wilson USA on the 'Great American' is 21st with a 583 nm backlog. Tomorrow afternoon, the fleet will reach the innertropcial convergence zone with its lulls and thunderstorm gusts. Tanguy de la Motte FRA back in the fleet is heading for Mindelo with a damaged mast top. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to repair it by himself.
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