Hardy and Riou lead Transat 6,50

by Event media on 10 Oct 2007
The leaders of the Transat 6,50 Charente Maritime Bahia fleet passed the Canaries Archipelago last night. That was more or less easy or comfortable depending on the navigation zone chosen.

The competitors sailing the most East, Adrien Hardy (Brossard) and Yann Riou (Caméléon), had to go through the chicane between Tenerife and Grande Canaria. These two sailors are now leading the fleet despite the extra miles they have covered compared to those that chose the West option.

The trio that chose the West option, Le Blévec (Actual), Joschke (Degrémont-Synergie), Fabien Desprées (Soitec), that perfectly came back to the direct route. East, the wind blew at 40 knots last night as registered by the escort boats.

Emmanuel Laurent on Domaine des Thomeaux dismasted yesterday in the late afternoon.

He first activated a green alarm before activating a red alarm. The escort boat Zidibule contacted the race HQ by VHF at 11,49 pm (French time) to signal that the Super Calin had dismasted just above the first spreader.

It is in the late afternoon that Domaine des Thomeaux skipped by Emmanuel Laurent dismasted off the Canaries Archipelago. The boat was sailing before the wind in 25 knots wind with gusts. Emmanuel first activated the green alarm before activating the red alarm asking for help. The race direction asked Zidibule, the closest escort boat to reroute in the direction of Emmanuel’s boat. During the VHF contact, Zidibule confirmed the race HQ that Domaine des Thomeaux had dismasted just above the first spreader.

All is OK on board and Emmanuel has done a makeshift repair that will enable him to reach Palma on his own. He was this morning 25 nautical miles away from the island. Zidibule stays close in case he might need help. Emmanuel is fine and manages the situation.

This trade winds acceleration has caused several damages already. Three sailors had to stop to Santa Cruz de La Palma: Raoul Cospen (Dalet Digital Media Systems), the Spanish Nacho Orti (Medi-Valencia) and Laurent Bourgues (Adrenaline). Sébastien Gladu (Clichy sous bois) also had to reach Santa Cruz this morning.

The Portuguese Francisco Lobato (BPI) leads the Series boats fleet, only 22 nautical miles away from Adrien Hardy. He zigzagged all night between La Gomera and Hierro islands. Hervé Piveteau (Jules Imprimerie cartoffset) does his best to protect his second position by sailing the closest to Mauritania coasts.

To be quoted, the nice come back of two unlucky competitors (until now), the Spanish Alex Pella (Generalitat Valenciana), 33rd and the Slovenian Andraz Mihelin (Adria Mobil Too) from now on 14th.

Transat 6,50 - Leaders at 12:00hrs - crew, type, DTF, DTL

1 Hardy Adrien Brossard proto 2570.86 0
2 le Blevec Yves Actual proto 2583.11 12.25
3 Sineau David Bretagne lapins proto 2587.26 16.4
4 Lobato Francisco Bpi serie 2589.44 18.58
5 Riou Yann Cameleon proto 2591.2 20.34
6 Despres Fabien Soitec proto 2595.98 25.12
7 Joschke Isabelle Degremont - synergie proto 2596.09 25.23
8 Brennan Nicholas Rafiki proto 2596.21 25.35
9 Monegier Quentin Tabon proto 2604.21 33.35
10 Hajnsek Kristian Adria mobil proto 2611.4 40.54
11 Manuard Samuel Sitting bull proto 2611.85 40.99
12 Cusin Olivier Energies autour du monde proto 2613.4 42.54
13 Claquin Aloys Vecteur plus proto 2617.93 47.07
14 Caracci Andrea Speedy bonsai proto 2619.79 48.93
15 Burkhalter Clayton Acadia proto 2626.04 55.18
16 Mihelin Andraz Adria mobil too proto 2629.14 58.28
17 Laureyssens Peter Ecover proto 2629.8 58.94
18 Piveteau Hervé Jules - imprimerie cartoffset serie 2630.92 60.06
19 le Diraison Stéphane Cultisol - institut curie serie 2636.58 65.72
20 Salabert François Areas assurances proto 2637.76 66.9