The steady leader of the ARKÉA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest is still Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) who has a margin of about four miles. But as they sought a lane with more breeze and start to consider the approach to a big low pressure set to hit them tomorrow night, there is more than 60 miles of lateral separation. Only Éric Péron on the non-foiling Adagio has been left behind at some 220 miles behind the leaders who are due west of the Straits of Gibraltar this morning.
The wind came in for them again in the middle of the night and speeds are between 23 and 28kts this morning but a high pressure bubble needs to be avoided. The choice is to stay east where there is more wind or west – sailing less distance – where the is the risk of being slowed or stopped in less wind.
But, overall, the pace remains intense, several of the skippers remarking that the race so far feels more like a leg of La Solitaire du Figaro so far. And they know better than most as Tom Laperche (SVR Lazartigue), Caudrelier, and Armel Le Cléac’h are all past winners and Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim 3) and Anthony Marchand (Actual Ultim 3) and Peron have all raced the one design offshore stage race many times.
“It feels like we’re off for a three-day race”
“We are still surprised by the pace that has been held on to,” remarks Guillaume Rottee, the race director this morning.
“It’s sustained, we have the impression we are on a three-day race while we are competing on a round the world,” explained Anthony Marchand (Actual Ultim 3).
Yesterday, the six all had to cross a low pressure area with very irregular winds and had to wait until the middle of last night to get some wind again.
From now on, the first five, still led by Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), have set into a phase of gybes as they work downwind “They are working to get around an anticyclonic bubble from the West,” explains Rottee. “The idea is to stay at the edge of the bubble, not to go too far west and fall into a windless zone. That requires them to manoeuvre a little.”
Increasingly it is important to consider the best routing to deal with the depression that they will face tomorrow. This extends very south down to the Cape Verdes.
“It’s going to get tougher with a frontal passage, winds around 40 knots, waves of 4 to 6 meters from Wednesday early evening, but all the routers are full on doing their jobs,” adds Rottee
Armel Le Cléac’h (Maxi Banque Populaire XI) said:
“It’s been very positive since the start. We had a great show, no technical problems and for the moment, it’s a great race, all in contact. Pushing hard and being close together it’s not a bad way to start. There have been quite a few gybes, sail changes and it was quite quick. The pace doesn’t ease down, we’re all starting to get our bearings. It’s important not to lose focus. And with this low you’ll need to be well placed to take advantage of it. The trade winds are not in place at all, there is a big depression coming. It’s going to be complicated, we’re going to take it step by step. We are working hard with the routing unit in Lorient. On board, I feel better and better. There is always worries that lurk because we did go training much (after the TJV it was all work with the boats in their hangars). But reflexes return and things are going well. And that allows you to surpass the emotions.”
Éric Péron (ULTIM ADAGIO):
“My first hours of racing went well. It wasn’t that demanding but there was a lot of manoeuvring. The first night, I was a little stressed because of the cargo ships, especially since I had a small problem with my computer. Yesterday, we had to manage a small rainy front which was not easy and the seas were a bit unpleasant. For the moment, the five competitors in front are doing well. I’m a little detached, I can’t compete at these paces. But I strive to do well what I have to do. But I think twice before changing a sail and making a maneuver. The effort is significant each time and you have to take care to keep up the pace. There, it’s pretty stable, I’m going to try to eat and sleep. There will probably be a sail sent within a few hours. The coming depression I don’t really like the look of, particularly because of the expected sea state. It’s light now but you’re already starting to feel it. We will do our best to find a course which works best for us. “
