The latest race news from the race
A bonus in the west
Contrary to Friday's forecast, the high-pressure zone was much more difficult to cross for the IMOCA and Class40 positioned to the east. The rankings and gaps have moved quite a lot in these two classes, while at the front of the fleet the west looks like the place to be to say ‘open sesame’ at the entrance to the Doldrums.
The west was the nightmare of six IMOCA duos (Hugo Boss, Malizia II Yacht Club de Monaco, Bureau Vallée II, Maître CoQ IV, Prysmian Group, and Advens for Cybersecurity) who chose to take on the great depression at the start of the race. But this time, in the high pressure that rules between the Azores and Madeira, the boot was on the foot. The ridge that looked like being so hard to cross for Hugo Bossand friends, was less stifling than for their comrades to the east. Groupe Sétinlost two places and the situation was not much better for Water Family, La Fabrique, La Mie Câline Artisans Artipôleor Time for Oceans. Located further east (east of Madeira) is the small group bringing up the rear of the fleet, where we find Campagne de France, 4myplanet, Vers un Monde sans Sidaand Ariel 2.They are still not out of the woods yet and will be forced to flap around a bit before they are through and can gyb. But they will have to beware, the high pressure is shifting to the south and it should not be relied on hang around before it heads towards Salvador de Bahia and settles around the crossing of the the archipelago of the Canary Islands…
Recomposition
In Class 40, now a third of the way along the 4,350-mile course to Salvador de Bahia, it is exactly the same picture. Kito de Pavant (Made in Midi) summed up the situation in his morning message: “The wind did not meet our expectations (by a long way) which made our option catastrophic.” The former leader is now in seventh position, Made in Midi lost two places overnight and by his side, Crosscall Chamonix Mont Blanchas not fared much better. Banque du Léman took full advantage of the situation in the west, rising four places in one day, with a speed boost that looks promising for the rest of the race. Still led by Crédit Mutuel, with Britain's Sam Goodchild on Leyton edging closer to under 9 miles in second, the Class40 race will enter a new phase this evening. The leaders should gybe and start to lengthen their stride south under spinnaker.
As for those at the back, still north of Casablanca, their progress could be hampered by the aftermath of the enormous swell generated by the storm Amélie, which is currently sweeping France.
This is obviously not something the leaders have to worry about. The three Multi50 were already passing Cape Verde this morning. GCA Mille Souriresis taking the risk of passing through the channel between Sao Vicente and Santa Antao. They need to be careful, because the windshadow can be serious here, by the highest volcano in the Cape Verde archipelago, and can stretch for more than 50 miles. To the west, will Primonialin second take advantage if the leader has a little pause?
For the IMOCA at front, it's all schuss towards the Doldrums, which is "thinning and getting organised" according to Richard Silvani of Météo France. Always downwind now, the large monohulls are alternating between spinnaker and big gennaker. And it is clear that at these downwind angles, the older IMOCA are doing very well with the nearly 10-year-old Banque Populaire moving past the new Apivia into second, "only" 50 miles behind the flying Charal.
ETA for the entry into the Doldrums:
Monday night for the Multi50.
24 hours later for the first IMOCA.
