Light conditions predicted for BPE Trophee finish

by Offshore Challenges on 29 Apr 2005 With less than 100 nautical miles to go in the single-handed BPE Trophee, the fleet is creeping towards the finish in around 4 knots of wind and this morning, progress has been painfully slow, with the majority of boats averaging no more than 2.5 knots.

In the early hours of this morning Skandia, skippered by Englishwoman, Sam Davies, was finally fast reaching with the asymmetric spinnaker - but this didn't last long.

The entire fleet has virtually come to a standstill and the leading boats have a boat speed of no more than 1.5 knots.

Eric Drouglazet (Credit Maritime-Zerotwo) has established a comfortable lead; 25.8nm ahead of Charles Caudrelier (Bostik) in second place, with Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) is just 0.1nm behind in third.

Skandia is still in fifth place, an estimated 40nm behind leader and the light conditions are making it very difficult to predict an ETA for the fleet and the finishing order.

‘My weather forecast says we should finish in 24 hours. There is a little bit of wind coming, which is due to die again this afternoon, and it looks like it will stay light going into this evening,’ Sam told her shore crew.

Before arriving at the finish in Cienfuegos, the fleet has to sail six miles up a narrow channel, to the bay 'Bahia de Cienfuegos'.

The only thing that looks certain is that Eric Drouglazet is likely to enter the channel first, which at it's narrowest is just 100 metres wide - great for spectators but stressful for skippers!

If it looks likely that conditions will remain light for this passage, race organisers have the option of moving the finish to outside the channel.

Race organisers have an ETA for race leader Eric Drouglazet between 1400-1700BST today BST - but only if the wind improves.

With very little wind, it is impossible to predict when Sam will finish, but she hopes to be in before noon tomorrow BST.

Updates on the finish & ETA's will be posted on the website later today

http://www.samdavies.com/skandia

Latest Positions 1000 BST 28/4/05
(boat name / average boat speed /distance to leader)

1. CREDIT MARITIME - ZEROTWO / 1.1kts / 56.4nm to finish

2. BOSTIK / 1.4kts / +25.8nm

3. CERCLE VERT / 0.7kts / +25.9nm

4. ATAO AUDIO SYSTEM / 0.8kts / +35.0nm

5. SKANDIA / 1.0kts / +40.0nm (estimated)

6. TOTAL / 2.1kts / +51.6nm

7. AQUARELLE.COM / 1.5kts / +55.9nm

8. GEDIMAT / 2.4kts / +57.4nm

9. BANQUE POPULAIRE / 2.4kts / +59.2nm

10. COUTOT ROEHRIG / 2.2kts / +63.1nm

11. ENTREPRENDRE AU PAYS DE LORIENT / 2.4kts /
88.7nm

12. LITTLE BLACK SHARK / 3.1kts / +242.4nm

Official race website: http://www.trophee-bpe2005.com (French only)

For more information visit:
http://www.samdavies.com/skandia