Rough conditions for Figaro finish

by Sabina Mollart-Rogerson on 21 Aug 2007 The sailors competing in La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro race are encountering tough conditions for the fourth and final leg between La Coruña in Galicia and the finish in Les Sables d’Olonne.

The already rough sea is forecast to worsen with four to five metre waves and the anemometers are reading 40 knots, due to increase when the front passes bringing gusts of 50 knots before the night is out. More than 200 miles of the 355-mile race have been covered since the start at 3 pm yesterday. Race Director, Jacques Caraës, announced this morning that as a security measure, the Port Bourgenay Mark, south of the Sables d’Olonne, has been removed.

Gerald Véniard (Scutum) continues to lead the fleet and at 3 pm was 135.8 miles from the finish line ahead of Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) and Nicolas Bérenger (Koné Ascenseurs), at 1.8 miles and 2.3 miles in 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. Nicolas Troussel (Financo), although not positioned on the final poll, is also among the leading pack. Corentin Douguet (E. Leclerc/Bouygues Telecom) reported seeing him just 300 metres ahead over the VHF at lunchtime today. The first fifteen boats are just over ten miles apart.

Despite blown spinnakers and reduced sail area for some, the average boat speeds are high between 12 and 13 knots, higher on the surfs. As the wind build, working out what the best sail plan is tough. 'You just can’t make any mistakes when you are sailing under spinnaker with 30-35 knots of breeze!' Exclaimed Nicolas Bérenger (Kone Ascenseurs) over the VHF at lunchtime. 'I have blown my big spinnaker… I have 30 knots with gusts of 37/38 knots. The spreader went right through the spinnaker when the boat breached' Announces Bertrand de Broc (Les Mousquetaires) over the VHF, at least he not longer needs it now he adds.

Changing sails whilst handling the boat in increasingly strong weather is a risk each sailor weighs up accordingly. Whilst the wind has been coming form the West, propelling the fleet along on a good angle it has been possible to change from large spinnaker, to small one and then solent sail. For some manoeuvring and doing the sail changes is the opportunity to continue in race mode and make up as much ground as possible before the wind heads round to the north. As the wind veers and increases throughout the afternoon there will be even stronger conditions: 4 to 5 metre short waves and 40-45 knots of wind, gusting 50 at its peak before decreasing to 25 towards the finish.

'There is a storm and we are feeling it on board' the Race Office boat 'we have just rolled away the storm sail and have 3 reefs in the main. We are holding on tight and trying to get to the finish line before the competitors do. Conditions are tougher than we expected from the forecasts and when the wind veers to the North we will be reaching so will be hit even harder' explains the race reporter, Nicolas Raynaud over the VHF this afternoon.

Jacques Caraës estimates a finish in Les Sables d’Olonne at 4 am tomorrow morning.

Over the VHF at lunchtime today Jacques Caraës, Race Director, explains why the decision was taken to cut out the Port Bourgenay Mark … 'As the weather conditions are worsening, we have decided to remove the Port Bourgenay Mark. The water is shallow just close to the mark and as there fleet is due to finish at night with a big swell coming in from the North West, there was a risk. Should someone have a technical problem, it is important to not get caught when the rollers come into the shore. The skipper of the Lifeboat in the Les Sables d’Olonne who knows the area very well, also warned that there is a risk of large rollers at Bourgenay. So we made the decision to cut out the mark quickly for safety reasons. We should arrive at around 4 am tomorrow.'

Nicolas Troussel (Financo) – Sailing in 30, 35, 40 knots is not my cup of tea… 'Last night went well and I have managed to get some rest and still make the boat move. The morning was good and then the wind came in so I could hoist spinnaker until the wind started to really build, so changed to smaller spinnaker and now we have 30 to 40 knots and 100 degrees to wind so I have changed to the solent sail and full main. It is good that we are not going to the Port Bourgenay mark; it is too rough there. I think the isobars will narrow after the front, so it will get even stronger. Now I have between 11 and 17 knots of average boat speed. It is not my cup of tea sailing in 30, 35, 40 knots of wind, but then we have to make do with what we have. It is less tactical. We just have to carry on and keep the boat going. What is good though is that we should get to the finish sooner.'

Corentin Douguet (E.Leclerc – Bouygues Telecom) – More like survival mode … 'I was still sailing with the large spinnaker this morning, then changed to the smaller spinnaker. Now the spinnaker is back in its bag. Unfortunately this regatta has becomes more survival mode rather than racing, but we just have to make do with what there is. Once I packed the spinnaker, Financo did the same. He is just 300 m ahead. Cliptol is not too far away. I think that is a good decision to cancel Bourgenay because it is not a not a safe area to sail in big seas. Having been warned well in advance it does not play against so far in the race we are doing. The wind is turning as forecast so we are going to get shaken around a bit, it is not over that is for sure! For now I am not complaining, even though I would have preferred more manageable conditions. But then I am not too unhappy as I have positioned myself where I wanted to be so I am not going to complain about the weather just yet. There is going to be quite a battle between Nico (Troussel) and I as there are just a few minutes between us.'

Gildas Mahé (Le Comptoir Immobilier) – Blown spinnaker, well I do not need it anymore…'I was just about to pack away my spinnaker and it just blew out into 10 pieces. That is basically it! I had been holding on to Mich’ and Koné Ascenseurs, but at least I do not need it any more. I was knocked over by a breaking wave coming down over my stern. The boat wants to constantly one way or another depending in the short waves, so it’s hard to hang on. It is not going to be easy to finish and conditions are going to be tough. I had a tiny bit of rest last night, but now you just have to keep alert to really make sure nothing breaks and you can see this through to the end.'

Nicolas Berenger (Koné Ascenseurs) – It is just like the Battle of the Biscay Returns! 'Very very wet… You just can’t make any mistakes when you are sailing under spinnaker with 30 35 knots of breeze! It is a bit like the Battle of the Biscay Returns, with the tough conditions, but it’s better when you are going the right way. I saw a boat just ahead of me with F-O-N-C-I-A written on the hull, so not doing to badly! Behind me I can see Le Comptoir Immobilier. For now I am sailing with the large spinnaker, but the minute it gets above 35 knots it becomes critical particularly in the short steep waves sweeping over the boat. It is not good for the rig, but anyhow, up until now, things are going fine. If you reduce the race when it is a matter of safety, there is no discussion. I am one hundred percent behind the race director, he certainly knows what he is doing.'

Bertrand de Broc (Les Mousquetaires) – 30 knots and gusting 37-38. 'I have blown my big spinnaker. Have 30 knots with gusts of 37/38 knots. The spreader went right through the spinnaker when the boat just heeled over. There must be a small problem with one of the rudders as it is hard to drive the boat.'

Robert Nagy (Théolia) – I was covered right up to the foot of the mast in water… 'I have a few technical problems. I went right through a wave that covered the boat to the base of the mast. Now we have 37-40 knots of wind, and am avoiding havi