3 minutes aboard with Vendee race leader Thomas Ruyant

At the halfway point, 39 days out, the fleet of (now) 27 is strung out across the Indian Ocean from Madagascar to south of New Zealand.  Leaders Yannick Bestaven, Thomas Ruyant, and Charlie Dalin are entering the Pacific Ocean.  With 12,000 miles to go the third place Dalin is only 125 nm behind the leader, having fallen out of first due to damage to one of his hydrofoils.

To get a sense of life aboard take a look at Thomas Ruyant skimming at about 18 knots.  Even in "good" conditions it's a bumpy ride.  You have to study weather, make routing decisions, trim constantly, and occasionally change sails.