The strategy depends on your current position. However, there is one basic principle: the target should be 7 to 15 days' sailing ahead of your boat and as “visible” as possible from the boat's position, with as less shoreline as possible in between. In other words, avoid placing a target just behind an island, a cape or at the bottom of a bay.
For the start of the Vendée Globe, here are a few useful tips:
- Descending the North Atlantic:
- At the start, you generally encounter one or more lows. You need to take advantage of the wind shifts by sailing more to the west ahead of the low-pressure area, where the winds are from the south-west, and then south on the way out, when the winds shift to the north-west. Occasionally, you may encounter anticyclonic conditions with northeasterly winds, in which case you'll have to sail downwind towards the Canaries.
You then sail wind a beam in the trade winds of the northern hemisphere. You'll need to choose where to pass the doldrums, which are generally quite active at this time of year, and lie around N7°. In general, winning routes cross the doldrums and then the equator between W25° and W30°, and even up to W35°. Be careful not to have to tack in the southern hemisphere trade winds (SE'ly winds) if you go too far west..
- At the start, you generally encounter one or more lows. You need to take advantage of the wind shifts by sailing more to the west ahead of the low-pressure area, where the winds are from the south-west, and then south on the way out, when the winds shift to the north-west. Occasionally, you may encounter anticyclonic conditions with northeasterly winds, in which case you'll have to sail downwind towards the Canaries.
- Passage of the Saint Helena High :
- After the Equator, pass to the west of the St. Helena High to “catch” favorable downwind conditions off Argentina.
Keep an eye on the lows forming behind the Andes, which may enable you to take a shortcut and avoid making a long “ladle” along South America.
- After the Equator, pass to the west of the St. Helena High to “catch” favorable downwind conditions off Argentina.
- Bypassing Antarctica :
- When you enter the Indian Ocean, sail around Antarctica, following the Antarctic Exclusion Zone (AEZ), to stay within the strong winds of the roaring forties and howling fifties.
Most of the time, stick to the AEZ to minimize the distance you have to cover.
- When you enter the Indian Ocean, sail around Antarctica, following the Antarctic Exclusion Zone (AEZ), to stay within the strong winds of the roaring forties and howling fifties.
- South Atlantic ascent:
- After Cape Horn, it’s a tricky. Either you go up along the coast of Brazil, or you go further offshore. Several groups usually form, as the weather forecasts are not stable. You'll have to make a choice.
- Crossing the Equator and approaching the finish :
- The Doldrums are generally less active on the way back and shouldn't be a problem. Most of the time, you'll have to round the Azores High, leaving it to the east on your right. Once you're sailing in downwind conditions, it's a straight shot to the finish..
Departure advice
Initially, place your target at the equator, between W25° and W35°. Try several different targets to find the best trajectory. Then adjust your target every 3 to 4 days, following the outline of the “winning” route. Make sure your target is always about ten days ahead of your boat to optimize visibility and facilitate navigation.
Read in our blog Where to place the routing target