Dominique is currently crossing the Intertropical Convergence Zone, better known to sailors as the Doldrums, a colloquial name for the low-pressure area that encircles the earth near the Equator where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet. The area is several hundred kilometres wide and is characterised by patches of dead calm punctuated by sudden squalls, storms and violent gusts of wind.
“This year, the Doldrums are active,” said Dominique. “There are two layers of cloud making the situation quite complex to read. I have been working on how to get through this zone for several days now as my exit strategy will dictate the next stage of the race. I have also been working on the routing for my entry into the Southern Ocean as my decision in the Doldrums will have an impact on the long term as well.”
Dominique’s current position puts him among friends on the leaderboard. He has known Jean Le Cam and Mike Golding for many years and gets on very well with them both. “Mike’s yacht is by the same designer as mine, but one generation younger and Jean is sailing Loïck Peyron’s old boat which is also an excellent design,” he explained.
While in the ranking the trio appears close together, the yachts are out of sight of one another. “We can’t actually see each other and we haven’t spoken, but I did communicate with Jérémie Beyou to tell him how sorry I was to hear about his keel. What has happened to him brought back some very bad memories I must admit,” said Dominique. “Thankfully I can report that all is well on board Mirabaud. All my sails are in good condition and I haven’t broken anything major.”
Without slowing the boat down, Dominique spends approximately two hours a day on maintenance and fixing anything that needs attention. “I am very lucky to have a yacht that has been so perfectly prepared by my team, it really shows!”
