Leadership changes in Figaro fleet

by Sabina Mollart-Rogerson on 13 Aug 2007
The competitors taking part in La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro have made steady progress into the third leg of the race from Brest to La Coruña in Northern Spain.

Overnight, the turning tide at the Raz de Sein in light conditions under the shooting stars have given way to a steady 15 knot N NW wind to see the Figaro Bénéteau boats down to the BXA passage mark. The all to familiar figure of Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) takes the lead once more…

The fleet is currently relatively bunched and evenly spread out across the axis of the rhumb line on a direct course south for the BXA mark opposite the Gironde estuary, 100 miles away. The wind is due to gently ease for tonight and gradually back round to the South West tomorrow. The sailors made the most of the relative calm this morning to get some sleep, eat and let the autopilots steer the boat. Saving energy before big front that is forecast to come in on Tuesday and continue into Wednesday, bringing some 30 to 35 knots of strong wind from the West for the later part of the race. The last 48 hours to the finish will be tough as the wind will be face on.

The turning tide at the Raz de Sein together with the light wind conditions at the start gave room for the leading boats to build some early gaps. It was a struggle for those left behind 'There was a little complicated passage at the Raz de Sein. Like a train junction, when the lights change and the barrier comes down just in front of you. I was forced to anchor for a good hour whilst those ahead managed to get away,' described Frederic Duthil (Distinxion) this morning. Michel Desjoyeau added that he was in the lead at the , 'Raz de Sein …I had even build up a little gap but then must have been in a bad thread of current because my friends just caught up from behind'. This has been the case for many who got stuck in the early part of last night.

Overnight the gaps reduced slightly with seven boats within just a mile of each other; Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia), Gildas Mahé (Le Comptoir Immobilier), Thierry Chabagny (Brossard), Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert), Corentin Douguet (E.Leclerc / Bouygues Telecom), Eric Drouglazet (Luisina), and Gerald Veniard…

The leading boats working their way down the course are divided into two groups, one slightly west and a second slightly more east. Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) leading on the latest position report heads the eastern group and is closely followed by Gildas Mahé (Le Comptoir Immobilier) and Thierry Chabagny (Brossard) within 0.3 and 0.4 miles. Corentin Douguet (E.Leclerc / Bouygues Telecom), in 5th place follows at 0.6 miles.

The other group out West, led by Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) in 4th place and 0.3 miles from the leader, includes Eric Drouglazet (Luisina) and Gérald Veniard (Scutum). Slightly further back Marc Emig (AS.T Groupe) lies in 14th place and 1.7 miles from the leader.

More than half the fleet is within five miles of the front-runner. Small groups have built throughout the day with James Bird (GFI Group) alone on the most extreme West option, working the synoptic breeze, and a smaller group inshore, looking for the thermal breeze, headed up by Jean-Pierre Nicol (Gavottes) in 29th place, further back Erik Nigon (AXA Atout Coeur Pour Aides), Paul Ó Riain (City Jet), Pedro da Cruz (Baiko), Marc Thiercelin (Siemens) and Liz Wardley (Sojasun).

Nigel King (Nigel King Yachting), in 7th place round the Radio France mark, has dropped down to 18th this morning and 23rd this afternoon, but maintains a tight reign on the front runners with only 3.5 miles between him and Foncia. Pietro D’Alì (Kappa), 2nd round the Radio France buoy has dropped down to 13th place, but once again is just 1.7 miles behind and well positioned.

The Grand Prix Suzuki is awarded to the first boat to reach the BXA mark, will be the converging point for the fleet and we should see quite a fight for first place right up to the rounding, expected for Monday morning.

News from the boats at sea:

Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) – leader - on the VHF at lunchtime today

'The start was nice and I was lucky to get passed the Raz de Sain with the tide. The sunset was great, flat seas and gentle breeze, so nice. There were a few options out there, you had to go out and get the pressure in the west, I played the game and stayed on top, so it was fun and you had to keep an eye out and climb up a few places. I am letting the autopilot do the work, I am fed up with helming! I am starboard reach, not going to make the mistake of going off on my own. I am keeping up with my colleagues. This morning I gobbled up the puapiettes my mother had made and given me before the start. Had a couple of naps, one of 15 mins this am and another just now. Whilst the wind is good we are trying to cover as much ground as possible before it gets light if the forecast right.'

Nicolas Lunven (Bostik) – on the VHF at lunchtime today in 9th place

'It is really quite nice, conditions are good, it was a bit light last night and then the breeze came in to some 15 knots this morning, so all is going well on board. I was lucky to be in the front pack of 7 boats that got passed the tide in the Raz de Sain and with a bit more breeze. I did a few gybes this morning and it was a pleasant surprise to find myself just behind Mich’Desh this morning. The weather forecasts are showing conditions that are not as bad as we had expected. Managed to get a little bit of sleep at the end of the night before the breeze came in, but am driving as much as possible to catch up with anyone ahead. I will try and get a bit of rest this afternoon.'

Thierry Chabagny (Brossard) – on the VHF at lunchtime today in 3rd place

'The first 24 hours were fun, the start was not all that easy, when we finally got off it was great, although we got at the Raz de Sein quite late which meant that the tide was turning and luckily there was a little bit of breeze to get passed as it turned. I have been spinnaker sailing since then and well placed for the NW breeze. There could be an option of going closer to shore to keep with the breeze. I have looked at the weather; the German forecasts predict lots of wind for the finish. We should not have much up to the next mark, but then we will gradually get SW for the last bit to La Coruña. It is nice being with the leaders, nicer than being behind battling to try and catch up on places. I am right behind Gildas like on the 2nd leg.'

Bertrand De Broc (Les Mousquetaires) – on the VHF at lunchtime today in 14th place

'The night was quite hard as I was right up close to the Bethaumes and got some plastic stuck round the rudders and keel. Now I am about 1 mile behind Chabagny and the 3 boats leading. There are a few wind shifts and the sea stronger than the wind so not so easy to work with the autopilot. Had a small nap last night, so will try and get another one this afternoon. The breeze is due to veer back a bit tonight and I will try and keep up with the leaders. Last night I managed to get into the right pack to get passed the Raz de Sein and we were 4 or 5 boats together which was nice. The shooting stars were really quite amazing!'

Patrice Bougard (Kogane) – on the VHF at lunchtime today in 25th place

'It is great being up front and I can see the French Patrol Ship. I have managed to sleep a bit just after the Raz de Sein, which was hard to get passed. I am going to try and hang on to the leaders for as long as possible. I have driven the boat most of the time since yesterday, now I am under pilot and going to try and eat something and get some rest, but then there is always some trimming and tuning to do.'

Eric Defert (Suzuki Automobiles)

'I had a nightmare start, I got stuck in the current and found myself going backwards yesterday, then had to anchor which was no good, but now things are looking ok with