The fourth week of racing in the Vendee Globe has been about finding balance: between pushing limits and playing it safe, managing the current situation while planning ahead, and celebrating milestones while overcoming challenges.
As Ollie ventured deeper into the Southern Ocean for the first time, his meticulous preparation and thoughtful decision-making have kept him competitive and in great shape for the journey ahead.
Preparation Pays Off
On Day 23 (Monday, 2nd December), Ollie’s dedication to preparation proved vital when routine checks revealed water in the engine—a potentially race-ending issue. The engine had failed to start, and Ollie was horrified to discover seawater had flooded the engine bay, shorting the starter motor and penetrating the cylinders. This caused the oil to emulsify and the engine to seize.
The only solution was to manually turn the engine over. Thankfully, the calm conditions allowed Ollie to focus fully on problem-solving. He devised an ingenious pulley system using a line wrapped around the engine, routed through a carabiner, and out to a cockpit winch. This setup enabled him to force the engine to turn and expel the water.
Ollie then wired in the spare starter motor, performed a full oil change, and replaced the filters. After over four hours of hard work, the engine was purring again.
Relieved, Ollie remarked, “I’m so glad to have an engine again! That could have been a race-stopper, but now it’s purring like a little cat.”
While the engine isn’t used for propulsion, it’s essential for keeping the onboard batteries charged whenever the solar power or hydro-generator isn't enough. Systems like the water maker, navigation computer, autopilot, and internet all rely on the batteries for power.
Although the root cause of the flooding remains unclear, Ollie has implemented new preventative measures to avoid a repeat occurrence, ensuring the boat remains race-ready.
Performance vs. Safety
With his engine restored, Ollie shifted his focus back to racing as he entered the Southern Ocean, sailing south of 40° latitude. The conditions immediately intensified, with a powerful sea state, a 4.7m swell, and gusts building from 20-32 knots to 30-40 knots by Wednesday, 4th December.
Asked about his mindset, Ollie admitted, “Of course, I’m a little nervous, but that’s okay. It shows I’m aware of the risks. For me, this stage of the race is less about performance and much more about sailing safely. It’s not always about sailing the fastest but sailing the safest. I keep this trade-off in mind with every decision I make.”
This focus on safety was tested on Day 26 (Thursday, 5th December) when Ollie encountered a large whale just 10 meters from his boat. Sailing through the warmer Agulhas Current, combined with rough seas and gusty weather, kept him on high alert, reinforcing the need for caution.
Milestones at Full Speed
By Friday, 6th December (Day 27), Ollie crossed the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope, marking his entry into the Indian Ocean and celebrating the first of three major capes. This milestone was met with a cigar—a gift from his team—and a sip of whiskey from friends at Howth Yacht Club.
The approach to the cape was far from smooth. Chaotic seas and gusts exceeding 40 knots forced Ollie to prioritise control over speed. Sailing conservatively, he reduced sail area, maintaining 70-75% of the boat’s potential speed to navigate the rough conditions. Even so, he recorded a boat speed of 32 knots while surfing down a wave—a reminder of the fine line between performance and prudence.
“The name of this exercise isn’t speed,” Ollie explained, “but you still need enough sail up to manage the waves and stay in charge of the boat.”
This balancing act has been key to his progress so far, allowing him to stay competitive while managing the challenging conditions.
Looking Ahead: Shrewdness over speed
On Day 30 (Monday, 9th December), Ollie shared his strategy for the week ahead as he prepares for the next major waypoint: Cape Leeuwin at the southwestern tip of Australia.
Powerful low-pressure systems are forecast to sweep the route, and while the shortest path lies to the south, closer to the ice gates of the Antarctic Exclusion Zone, Ollie, along with many of the fleet, has opted for a more northerly course. This choice, though longer, avoids predicted winds of over 60 knots and waves exceeding 10 meters.
The decision is as much about protecting himself as it is about preserving the boat. With two-thirds of the race still ahead, maintaining stamina and readiness is critical. By planning ahead and carefully managing his resources, Ollie is positioning himself perfectly to handle the challenges to come.
Follow us to find out how this route choice works out...
All the best from the full evenito Team! 💪 Lets goooooo!
I love reading the updates, it’s very intense conditions, how are you feeling mentally, obviously you have constant stress's of navigation, problems on board, planning ahead, and no real rest period.
How you are keeping well 👌
Thank you for the update as we are following closely your journey we are happy to read you are in good form and all live important machines are working properly! Well done Oli!
Interesting read