Good luck charms working wonders

The Indian Ocean is living up to its reputation with its rough handling of the Vendée Globe fleet. “We have a case of cross seas. We’re getting shaken up a lot and it’s blowing quite well. You have to adapt the boat’s speed according to the wave period to avoid burying your bow. Sometimes, you head off on a surf at over 25 knots and then dive into the wave in front, which obviously isn’t ideal,” commented Giancarlo Pedote, who is contending with a powerful SW’ly wind on very rough seas due to a gigantic disturbance stretching from the Cape of Good Hope to the east of Heard Island. “I didn’t sleep very well last night as the boat was jumping around in every direction, including in the bunk, but that’s how it goes. We knew that sailing in the Indian would be no picnic”, added the skipper of Prysmian Group, who’s currently battling it out with Isabelle Joschke for the 9th spot in the ranking and is really digging deep to get his steed powering along as quickly as possible, whilst preserving her to the max, boosted by some little good luck charms he’s carrying aboard. “I have my children’s soft toys with me, and not just any toy, each of them gave me their favourite. I feel a great deal of responsibility on my shoulders!” explained the Italian sailor, who also has numerous photos in his living pod. “I have some of my wife and children glued to the chart table so they’re with me at all times. Stefania sends me some from time to time of the house or Lorient harbour, which is so beautiful with the high-pressure colours of winter. It’s a big contrast to the boisterous Indian Ocean! If I had to draw it, it would undoubtedly be a god!”, concludes Giancarlo.