The latest race news from the race
© JEAN MARIE LIOT
Merron avoids lobster pots as Ultime prepare for the front
The first night of this 13th Transat Jacques Vabre was fast and demanding for the four classes and Britain’s Miranda Merron on Campagne de France, lying fifth in the Class40, was speaking for many in explaining there decision that discretion was the better part of valour: “some of our classmates opted to go rock-hopping off Barfleur,” she wrote this morning, “but given the conditions, there is no way out if anything goes wrong, it being a lee shore. And there are plenty of lobster pots. We have played it safe and stayed further offshore, which means pushing foul tide. No regrets.”
There was no let up for the leader Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, or their close pursuers Sodebo Ultim, who are now struggling with the ridge of high pressure in a softening wind. Behind them, the Multi 50 and Imoca are passing Ushant, while the Class40 still have 70 miles left of the Channel. A new southwesterly wind is forecast to return during the morning and strengthen as they approach the cold front, which the leaders are expected to reach tonight.
Ultime:
Edmond de Rothschild (Sébastien Josse and Thomas Rouxel) is still in the lead. Despite registering momentary speeds of more than 40 knots at certain times of the night, the newly-launched giant trimaran in its debut race, saw Sodebo Ultim edge back in its wake, and take the lead as Edmond de Rothschild made two tacks west. The current transition phase is expected to last until mid-morning, according to Josse. Prince de Bretagne is more than 60 miles behind.
Imoca:
A smooth start by St Michel-Virbac, the favourite, has seen them take the lead after passing Cap de la Hague, on the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy. Jean-Pierre Dick and Yann Eliès were the first to dive into the stream of current between Alderney and the coast - a measure of their confidence and expertise. They have taken a westerly position and Des Voiles et Vous (Morgan Lagraviére and Eric Peron) have slipped past them into the lead with SMA, last night's leader just behind in second. Tanguy De Lamotte and Britain’s Sam Davies on Initiatives Cœur were 16 miles behind in seventh place.
Multi 50:
With a 10 mile lead on the favourites, FenêtréA-Mix Buffet (Erwan Le Roux and Vincent Riou), Arkema (Lalou Roucayrol and Alex Pella) has been incisive from the start and can be happy with the first night that was “very demanding” according to Roucayrol. With squalls of over 27 knots and a rough sea, it is impossible to sleep in these conditions on the small multihulls. The other two foilers, Ciela Village and Réauté Chocolat are within 15 miles behind.
Class40:
First over the line at start, Britain’s Phil Sharpe and Catalan co-skipper Pablo Santurde, are in fourth, lying the furthest east in the fleet, nearest the Brittany coast. They have done well to stay just 10 miles behind the newly-launched Carac, whose two Cherbourger-skippers, Louis Duc and Alexis Loison were quick and inspired as they passed through their backyard and have overtaken the last-placed 60ft Imoca.